It is now considered inevitable that Manchester United will sign M. Fernandes, who is seen as a potential new Anderson. Real Madrid and Arsenal have both withdrawn from the race.

Manchester United's acquisition of West Ham's Matheus Fernandes is considered a foregone conclusion, and Real Madrid, anticipating this result, has decided to pull out of the Arsenal had previously abandoned any hope of signing M. Fernandes, and with Mourinho back at Real Madrid, no bid is expected from them.

British media widely report that Manchester United is about to make an offer to West Ham for M. Fernandes, but the club is waiting for other giants to back off to gain more negotiating West Ham's asking price for M. Fernandes is between £80 million to £85 million, but United hopes the "Hammers" will compromise after being relegated to the Championship. Following the resignation of club chairman David Sullivan amid a scandal, the club remains in turmoil, and United is willing to wait patiently.

Royal Mail boss Daniel Kretinsky is set to become West Ham's majority shareholder, but it remains unclear whether manager Nuno Espírito Santo will continue, leaving many things uncertain. M. Fernandes is not overly concerned; his agent, Portuguese football titan Jorge Mendes, Jorge Mendes, will surely find him a good club, and he will play in the Champions League next season rather than the Championship.

Manchester United are the top favorites for M. Fernandes' next club, with the club's football director, Jason Wilcox, having followed him since his time at Southampton. In April 2024, Wilcox left St Mary's, but he had already arranged M. Fernandes' transfer months later, the "Saints" signed him from Sporting Lisbon for £15 million.

If Manchester United succeed in signing M. Fernandes, he would become the first West Ham player to join United since Paul Ince in 1989. Many know Ince as a key player in Ferguson's first Premier League title-winning team. United had long been interested Declan Rice but lost out when he joined Arsenal for £105 million in 2023, becoming a Premier League title winner for Arteta.

After Manchester City made two bids for Elliott Anderson, Manchester United have abandoned their original primary target. City's second offer exceeded £120 , and United felt unable to compete, with Anderson also favoring the "Citizens" over the Red Devils.

In contrast, M. Fernandes is very keen to join invitation to him was simple: join England's biggest club and become part of United's revival, helping end their 13-year wait for a Premier League title. The prospect of playing alongside Bruno Fernandes is also highly appealing to M. Fernandes, who has regarded the United captain as an idol since childhood.

It is expected that formal club-to-club negotiations between Manchester United and West Ham will begin. West Ham's £85 million is just West Ham's starting price. Of course, City's bid for Anderson shows that the market price for midfielders this summer is inflated, with clubs possessing top players demanding astronomical transfer fees.

M. Fernandes is set to become the record holder for the highest transfer fee from the Championship this summer. The previous record was set by Romeo Lavia, whom Chelsea signed from relegated Southampton for £53 million plus £5 million in add-ons three years ago.

After Sir Jim Ratcliffe's acquisition of Manchester United, Mendes has completed several deals with the club. Players like Leny Yoro and Manuel Ugarte, who joined in 2024, are his clients and represent the two most expensive signings of the Ineos era. Yoro cost £60 million, and Ugarte over £50 million, and M. Fernandes is expected to set a new record.

However, United see an opportunity to negotiate a fairer transfer fee after West Ham's relegation. Although M. Fernandes' club has been relegated from the Premier in both of his consecutive transfers, United believes he possesses all the qualities needed to be a top player.

Scouts believe that without Anderson, M. Fernandes can be developed into another "Anderson". United's data department, led by Michael Sanson, has a huge influence on the club's transfer strategy. Last season's data indicated that M. Fernandes is the ideal replacement for Anderson.

M. Fernandes makes more tackles and has higher passing accuracy than Anderson. The gap between them in terms of successful ground duels, successful ball retentions, and successful ball retentions in the defensive third is not significant. Although currently not as good, M. Fernandes is two years younger and has growth potential. Ratcliffe and United's hierarchy are disappointed to miss out on their desired Anderson, signing M. Fernandes would be a consolation prize.

The only disadvantage for M. Fernandes compared to Anderson is that he cannot become a "homegrown" he arrived in England at age 20, failing to meet the standard of having played for three full seasons or 36 months under the FA or FAW before turning 21.