Manchester United are one of the major teams interested in signing West Ham United midfielder Mateus Fernandes this summer.

Fernandes was a star player for the Hammers as they were relegated from the Premier League last season, and he appears to be staying in the top level rather than playing in the Championship the following season.

The London Stadium club must cover many expenses as a result of being relegated to the second tier.

Meanwhile, Fernandes is one of their most valuable assets because he shined in the Premier League and still has a lot of room to grow at only 21.

Manchester United learns if Mateus Fernandes’ salary fit into Jim Ratcliffe’s budget.

Fernandes scored three goals and four assists in 36 Premier League appearances for West Ham and would likely produce a higher attacking return if he joined a superior team, such as Manchester United.

More importantly, the former Southampton player is tenacious out of possession and can influence the tempo from a deeper midfield position.

Fernandes provided an assist on the final day of the Premier League season, when the Hammers defeated Leeds United 3-0, but it was unable to keep them from being relegated to the Championship, as Tottenham Hotspur overcame Everton.

Meanwhile, transfer targets Manchester United need more depth after qualifying for the Champions League under new manager Michael Carrick’s excellent leadership during his temporary tenure.

The Red Devils had not qualified for the Champions League since 2023, highlighting their recent decline in performance.

Despite the Old Trafford club’s often poor on-field performances, co-owner Jim Ratcliffe has overseen cost-cutting tactics that have proven controversial at times.

With that in mind, Manchester United fans may be wondering how realistic their club’s move for Fernandes is this summer.

According to The Guardian, the former Southampton midfielder was paid roughly £70,000 per week for West Ham in the Premier League, but this was reduced by 50% following their relegation to the Championship.

According to the aforementioned rumour, any pay he receives from the Red Devils will fit inside Ratcliffe’s intended budget.

However, as disclosed by The Athletic’s Laurie Whitwell on X, West Ham want an £80 million sum for Fernandes’ services, while Manchester United want that asking price cut.

Fortunately for the Red Devils, Jason Wilcox, their director of football, was in such role at Southampton when the 21-year-old joined the club.

Furthermore, Kyle Macaulay, who is currently Manchester United’s head of senior scouting, was West Ham’s head of recruitment when the club signed Fernandes.

West Ham will likely have to cut Mateus Fernandes’ asking price.

Following their relegation from the Premier League, the Hammers want to make as much money as possible by selling Fernandes, and the former Southampton player is set to play for a top team next season.

According to The Athletic, PSG is also interested in signing the one-cap Portuguese international, which would increase his chances of playing in the Champions League next season.

Meanwhile, according to the Daily Mail, West Ham are poised to sell up to nine players to generate £100 million following their relegation, with Fernandes fetching £80 million, recouping the majority of that money.

However, given the hefty asking price for a demoted player, the Hammers will most likely have to leave with the gifted kid for a reduced cost.