Manchester United are putting together an opening bid for West Ham midfielder Mateus Fernandes, with the 21-year-old now regarded as a priority signing ahead of the new season, according to Sky Sports News.

United have identified midfield reinforcement as a key objective this summer, and Fernandes has risen to the top of their shortlist. However, the two clubs face a significant gap in valuation before any deal can be reached.

The valuation gap

West Ham are holding firm at around £80m for Fernandes and have made clear they are in no hurry to part with him. United are not prepared to meet that figure, meaning the clubs must find a compromise if a transfer is to move forward.

The Hammers paid an initial £38m to Southampton for Fernandes last summer, and following a standout debut season in east London — despite West Ham's relegation from the Premier League — their valuation has more than doubled.

Decision-makers at West Ham believe Fernandes was among the best young players in the Premier League last season, drawing comparisons to Declan Rice, who departed for Arsenal in a £105m deal in 2023.

A player in demand

West Ham are also aware that Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain have been linked with the Portugal international, which complicates any potential negotiations with United. The club has not ruled out Fernandes remaining in east London to lead their push for an immediate Premier League return, though they acknowledge that retaining him will be difficult given the level of interest.

Why United want Fernandes

Fernandes made a strong impression during his first Premier League campaign, establishing himself as one of the division's most industrious midfielders. He ranked among the top ten Premier League midfielders for distance covered and stood out for his relentless tackling and high-intensity work rate.

Simon Rusk, who previously worked with Fernandes at Southampton, spoke to Sky Sports about what drives those numbers.