Real Madrid hijack Manchester United talks to sign £80m ‘priority’ target

West Ham United's Mateus Fernandes celebrates scoring their side's third goal during the Premier League match at the London Stadium. Picture date: Saturday January 24, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Jordan Pettitt/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications.
Real Madrid have made their move to sign Mateus Fernandes ahead of Manchester United (PA Wire)

West Ham midfielder Mateus Fernandes is in talks to join Real Madrid ahead of Manchester United, according to reports in Spain.

Fernandes is set to leave West Ham this summer following the club’s relegation from the Premier League and is not short of options ahead of the new season.

United have already begun negotiations over a deal for Fernandes, while Arsenal, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain have also expressed an interest in the 21-year-old.

West Ham, however, are demanding an £80 million transfer fee for Fernandes, who they signed from Southampton for £38m plus £4m in add-ons last year.

All the World Cup action

Get everything you need to know about the World Cup – England updates, the games to watch and stories you missed – in five minutes, at 1pm, every day. Sign up here.

According to AS, Jose Mourinho has made the signing of Fernandes one of his ‘priorities’ after returning to Real Madrid as head coach and has ‘complete confidence’ that the West Ham midfielder can make an immediate impact at the Santiago Bernabeu.

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 10: Mateus Fernandes of West Ham in action with Martin Zubimendi of Arsenal during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Arsenal at London Stadium on May 10, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
West Ham are demanding an £80m fee for Mateus Fernandes (Getty)

The report adds that Jorge Mendes, who represents both Mourinho and Fernandes, ‘is already working on a deal’ to bring the West Ham midfielder to Madrid.

Mourinho is also keen for Madrid to sign Sporting CP midfielder Morten Hjulmand, who has attracted interest from both United and Arsenal.

United, meanwhile, have already agreed a £35m deal to sign Brazilian midfielder Ederson from Atalanta.

However, the 26-year-old’s arrival at Old Trafford will be delayed after he received a late call-up to Brazil’s World Cup squad.

For more stories like this, check our sport page.

Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on FacebookTwitter and Instagram.

(Visited 1 times, 1 visits today)

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *