Manchester United director of football Jason Wilcox is personally keen on bringing West Ham United midfielder Mateus Fernandes to Old Trafford, according to two reliable sources.<\/p>\n
Man Utd already have a deal in place to sign Ederson Silva from Atalanta<\/a>, with the Brazilian midfielder expected to replace compatriot Casemiro in Red Devils manager Michael Carrick\u2019s team.<\/p>\n The Red Devils are also confident of signing Elliot Anderson<\/a>, who has been the subject of a failed bid from Manchester City.<\/p>\n However, Nottingham Forest want over \u00a3100million for Anderson, and Man Utd are looking at cheaper alternatives.<\/p>\n Mateus Fernandes<\/a> is one of the players that Man Utd are keen on.<\/p>\n Man Utd have already made contact with the agents of Fernandes<\/a>, who is said to be \u2018extremely keen\u2019 on a move to Old Trafford, according to reports in May.<\/p>\n READ: Arsenal star Rice is \u2018sceptical\u2019 of England team-mate\u2019s ability after Man Utd man is criticised<\/a><\/p>\n West Ham want \u00a380million for the Portugal international midfielder, even though the Hammers will play in the Championship next season after getting relegated from the Premier League.<\/p>\n It has now emerged that Man Utd<\/a> are accelerating their pursuit of Fernandes, with the Premier League club\u2019s director of football, Jason Wilcox, personally keen on a 2026 summer deal for the 21-year-old.<\/p>\n Jason Wilcox wants to sign Mateus Fernandes for Man Utd<\/p>\n According to The Guardian<\/a>, Wilcox is personally \u2018monitoring\u2019 Fernandes as an option to strengthen Carrick\u2019s midfield.<\/p>\n The report has claimed that Man Utd co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe would be able to pay Fernandes the salary that he would get at West Ham in the 2026\/27 campaign.<\/p>\n Fernandes is on \u00a370,000-a-week at West Ham, but it will be cut by 50% next season after West Ham got relegated.<\/p>\n READ MORE: Rashford among eight Premier League loanees who should be given a second chance<\/a><\/p>\n Wilcox was instrumental in Southampton signing Fernandes in 2024, as he laid the groundwork for the Saints to sign the midfielder before he left his role as the club\u2019s director of football.<\/p>\n TEAMtalk<\/a> has reported that Wilcox is so determined to bring the West Ham star to Old Trafford that he has personally made contact with his agents.<\/p>\n The reliable transfer news outlet has reported that \u2018Wilcox\u2019s long-standing relationship with Fernandes could prove decisive\u2019 in Man Utd\u2019s quest to beat other interested clubs to his signature.<\/p>\n Wilcox\u00a0has monitored Fernandes\u2019s performances for West Ham and have been impressed.<\/p>\n The Man Utd official believes that the youngster would be able to take the step up and star for Man Utd.<\/p>\n The report has noted: \u2018Crucially for Man Utd, TEAMtalk can confirm that Wilcox has personally maintained contact with Fernandes\u2019 camp regarding his future.<\/p>\n \u2018Those conversations have helped strengthen United\u2019s position and there is a belief within Old Trafford that they would be difficult to beat if the race ultimately comes down to convincing the player.\u2019<\/p>\n Fabrizio Romano has also noted that Man Utd are actively trying to sign Fernandes<\/a>.<\/p>\n