Manchester United Step Up Pursuit of West Ham's Fernandes as Hammers Face Relegation Battle

Manchester United have ramped up their interest in West Ham's Matheus Fernandes ahead of the summer transfer window, with the young midfielder increasingly likely to be available should the Hammers' relegation fears materialise.

The 2025/26 season has been a nightmare for West Ham, with the east London club battling to avoid the drop. Yet amid the gloom, Fernandes has emerged as a genuine bright spark, establishing himself among the Premier League's most promising midfielders.

The 24-year-old's performances have naturally caught the attention of the Old Trafford hierarchy. Bruno Fernandes, United's captain, is understood to be keen on bringing his compatriot to the club, and the Red Devils have reportedly been sounding out his representatives for the past month and a half.

According to journalist Ben Jacobs, talks between United and Fernandes' camp have been ongoing for four to six weeks, with the player himself receptive to the prospect of a move. However, the deal's viability hinges entirely on West Ham's Premier League status come the end of the season.

"If West Ham stay up, the deal will likely be off the table, at least without significantly overpaying," Jacobs explained, noting that the Hammers would look to reward their standout performer with improved terms to persuade him to stay.

Should relegation happen, though, the picture changes dramatically. Fernandes is unlikely to fancy a Championship campaign, making a departure far more probable. West Ham originally paid £38m plus £4m in add-ons to acquire him, but a drop to the second tier would strengthen United's hand considerably. With a potential budget of £70m to £75m per midfielder, Fernandes could represent better value than some of the alternatives on the club's radar.

Football Insider's Pete O'Rourke believes keeping Fernandes will prove "almost impossible" if West Ham suffer the drop. Multiple clubs beyond United are monitoring the situation, though the prospect of Championship football is likely to be the decisive factor in the midfielder's thinking.

The Portuguese playmaker sits firmly on United's midfield wishlist as they seek to strengthen that area of the pitch. His availability could depend entirely on whether West Ham can pull off an unlikely escape from the relegation zone.