United Ready to Pounce on Fernandes After Ederson Secured

Manchester United are preparing to bolster their midfield ranks this summer, having already wrapped up their first significant acquisition following the conclusion of the 2025/26 season.

The Old Trafford outfit have secured Ederson Silva from Atalanta, a deal worth approximately £38m that should be formally completed early next month. Michael Carrick's rebuild, however, doesn't stop there.

Following Ederson's arrival, United have turned their attention to West Ham's Matheus Fernandes, who enjoyed a standout campaign for the relegated Hammers. The midfielder has emerged as a leading target for the Red Devils, with German journalist Florian Plettenberg reporting that Fernandes now sits high on United's priority list for the transfer window.

According to Plettenberg, United are acutely aware of Fernandes' wage expectations and anticipate no stumbling blocks on that front should a deal materialise. However, the journalist stressed that no formal proposal has yet been tabled to West Ham.

The situation represents United's pivot away from alternative targets, particularly Elliot Anderson of Nottingham Forest. Forest's asking price of £125m—their valuation based on the British transfer record—proved prohibitive for United's ambitions.

Fernandes, by contrast, appears far more attainable. Whilst initial reports suggested a fee of up to £85m, journalist Pete O'Rourke has indicated that West Ham could be persuaded to part with their prized asset for considerably less. An offer in the region of £70m, according to O'Rourke, may well prove sufficient to get the deal over the line.

That would represent reasonable business for United, allowing them to strengthen their engine room without breaking the bank—particularly after the Forest asking price ruled out their previous Plan B.