Manchester United are in active negotiations with Jorge Mendes, one of football’s most powerful agents, over a potential deal to sign midfielder Mateus Fernandes from West Ham United. The 21-year-old Portugal international has become one of the most sought-after midfielders in European football, and Old Trafford appears to be positioning itself as the frontrunner.

West Ham’s relegation to the Championship has turned what would normally be a near-impossible transfer into something very real. The London club paid roughly £38 million to sign Fernandes from Southampton in August 2025, and they’ve now slapped an £80 million price tag on him.

A crowded field of suitors

Manchester United aren’t the only club circling. Real Madrid, Arsenal, and Paris Saint-Germain have all been linked with the young Portuguese midfielder, creating the kind of multi-club bidding environment that agents like Mendes tend to thrive in.

José Mourinho, now managing Real Madrid, reportedly views Fernandes as a priority signing. Mourinho is also represented by Mendes, which means the super-agent is essentially working both sides of a potential tug-of-war between Manchester United and Real Madrid for the same player.

Mendes has historically been one of the most effective dealmakers in the sport, having orchestrated transfers for Cristiano Ronaldo and a long list of Portuguese talent over the past two decades.

Despite Real Madrid’s interest, reports suggest Fernandes himself may prefer a move to Old Trafford.

Why West Ham might have to deal

West Ham have set Fernandes’s asking price at around £80 million, but they remain open to offers. West Ham are now facing life in the Championship, where television revenue drops dramatically, and the club needs to offload high-value assets to balance the books.

Fernandes delivered standout performances throughout the 2025/26 season even as West Ham slid toward relegation.

What this means for Manchester United

United have made early contact through Mendes, and the next step would be a formal bid. As of June 12, 2026, no confirmed bids have materialized from any club.

Mourinho’s relationship with Mendes gives Real Madrid a direct line to the player’s representation that most competing clubs don’t have. If United want to close this deal, they’ll likely need to move decisively and offer terms that make the player’s reported preference for Old Trafford a financially easy choice as well as an emotional one.