Manchester United are exploring a potential deal for West Ham midfielder Mateus Fernandes.According to Sky Sports, the club are doing background work on the Portugal international as they weigh up a summer move. Midfield remains a clear priority for Michael Carrick this window.West Ham, however, are in no hurry to sell. Sky Sports understands the Hammers value the 21-year-old at around £80m. They signed him only last summer, paying Southampton an initial £38m.Manchester United exploring move for West Ham’s FernandesHis relegation may yet change the picture. West Ham’s drop to the Championship makes a sale more realistic, and United see him as an attainable target. That backdrop has pushed him up their list of options.The appeal is easy to grasp. Fernandes was a rare bright spark in a poor West Ham side, shining in the second half of the campaign.He is tenacious, mobile and comfortable receiving the ball anywhere across the pitch. Some at United view that profile as reminiscent of Declan Rice, the player they famously missed out on years ago.His stock has rarely been higher despite back-to-back relegations with Southampton and West Ham.United are not alone in admiring him. Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City have both been linked, with some reports adding Real Madrid to the chase.That competition could complicate United’s pursuit, particularly given West Ham’s valuation.The move would build on business already done. United have agreed a £38m deal for Atalanta midfielder Éderson, the first signing of Carrick’s rebuild.Fernandes is viewed as a complementary addition rather than a replacement.For now, the work remains exploratory. United like the player and the timing, but West Ham’s asking price is the obvious hurdle still to clear. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});Read more – Atletico reject Real Madrid’s €150m Julian Alvarez bidSee Also- Real Madrid make transfer enquiry for Arsenal starFollow the Football Faithful on Social Media:Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | TikTok The post Manchester United exploring £80m Mateus Fernandes deal first appeared on The Football Faithful.