West Ham United intend to set an asking price of £80million ($108m) for midfielder Mateus Fernandes. The relegated club need to raise £150m this summer and Fernandes is one of their most saleable assets. The Portugal international joined for £38m last summer from Southampton, who negotiated a 15 per cent sell-on fee. Manchester United are interested in signing the 21-year-old, having held talks over a potential fee and wages. Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain are also among his suitors. West Ham are yet to receive any approaches for Fernandes. The Athletic reported last month that he does not have a release clause in his contract. Last season, the Portuguese registered five goals and four assists across 40 appearances. Although Manchester United have reached an agreement with Atlanta to sign fellow midfielder Ederson in a deal worth up to €45m, Fernandes is still among their list of targets, having held talks over a potential fee and wages. United’s current midfield options are Kobbie Mainoo, Bruno Fernandes and Manuel Ugarte, though the latter’s future is uncertain. United head coach Michael Carrick is keen to find a midfield partner for Mainoo. Although Fernandes has endured back-to-back relegations (having been part of Southampton’s squad in 2024-25), he was a contender for West Ham’s player of the year award, which was won by defender Konstantinos Mavropanos. Fernandes considers his compatriot and namesake Bruno Fernandes at Manchester United as one of his idols. The duo were part of Sporting Club’s academy in Portugal, with the Manchester United man scoring 39 goals in 83 league appearances from 2017-20. The West Ham midfielder, however, was sold to Southampton in 2024 having only made 10 appearances in all competitions for the Portuguese side. “I was a little nervous on the first day (at Sporting) because I was going to train with players I saw on television and who were role models,” Fernandes told Portuguese outlet A Bola in March. “I’m very proud of my time at the club, I have a lot of affection for it, but I followed my own path, not everyone has the same journey. “The biggest one (role model) right now is Bruno Fernandes because of the player he is. Back when I was at Sporting, I looked up to him and tried to learn from him. He plays in the same league as me, he has a lot of experience with the national team and in the Premier League. I try to watch him a lot. Without a doubt, he stands out.” Despite impressing for West Ham, Fernandes was not named in Portugal’s squad for the upcoming World Cup. Asking price no surprise given the market Analysis by West Ham correspondent Roshane Thomas Fernandes’ potential switch to Manchester United or any other club would help fund West Ham’s summer recruitment. Nuno Espirito Santo’s side need to sign players to help strengthen their immediate promotion from the Championship. Of all the interested clubs, Manchester United is a realistic option given Fernandes’ experience of playing in the Premier League. He is capable of playing as a winger, central and as a No 10. Of his many strengths, Fernandes’ versatility stands out. He was a consistent performer under Nuno, so it is no surprise West Ham’s hierarchy intend to hold out for £80m. A club in a similar position is Nottingham Forest who rejected Manchester City’s opening offer for midfielder Elliot Anderson. Just like West Ham, Forest have no intention of selling a key player below their asking price.