Liverpool have already held a meeting with the agents of West Ham midfielder Mateus Fernandes, putting themselves ahead of Manchester United in the race for the 21-year-old Portugal international.
According to CaughtOffside, Liverpool have the most advanced interest and consider Fernandes a serious option for the summer window. The timing is notable given that West Ham are currently sitting in the final relegation spot in the Premier League, meaning the midfielder could be playing Championship football next season regardless of where he ends up. West Ham are reported to be resigned to losing him if sufficiently attractive offers arrive, whether or not they survive the drop.
Why Mateus Fernandes suits Liverpool summer transfer plans
Fernandes has contributed three goals and three assists in the Premier League this season, solid numbers for a young midfielder at a club fighting relegation. At 21, he fits the profile Liverpool have been pursuing in recent windows, a technically assured, progressive midfielder with the athleticism and intelligence to develop further under a top manager. With significant changes expected at Anfield this summer, regardless of who is in the dugout, midfield recruitment is firmly on the agenda.
The fact that Liverpool have already moved to the meeting stage, rather than simply monitoring from a distance, suggests they see this as a genuine priority rather than a speculative interest.
How does Man United fit into the Mateus Fernandes picture?
Manchester United are also in the frame. Bruno Fernandes is said to have recommended his 21-year-old namesake to the club as a potential long-term successor, and United are reported to be considering him as a cheaper secondary midfield signing to complement more expensive additions like Elliot Anderson, Adam Wharton or Sandro Tonali.
However, with Liverpool having already opened direct dialogue with the player’s representatives, United will need to move quickly if they want to get into genuine contention. For now, the Reds hold the initiative, and in a summer where both clubs are expected to reshape their squads significantly, winning the early battles in the transfer market could prove decisive.
