Man Utd “really” want to sign £80m Mateus Fernandes upgrade

It’s a little under a month until Manchester United kick off pre-season by taking on Wrexham in Helsinki, with there certainly an appetite to ensure that new signings are in the building sooner rather than later.

The World Cup might well have complicated matters on that front, but that can’t be blamed for the hold-up with regard to United’s pursuit of Mateus Fernandes, the 21-year-old having been omitted from Roberto Martinez’s Portugal squad.

The West Ham United man is fresh off a second successive Premier League relegation, albeit while having caught the eye with seven goals and assists after signing from Southampton in 2025.

A move for a third summer in a row does appear on the cards for the youngster, yet those at Old Trafford don’t appear to be having it all their own way, with alternatives also now under consideration.

Forget Fernandes – Man Utd “really” want to sign £80m midfielder

It’s difficult to make head or tail of the latest on Fernandes, although it does appear that United could be trumped by Tottenham Hotspur, amid the current reluctance to meet West Ham’s £80m plus asking price.

Spurs appear to be going big in the market and have made a play for the former Sporting CP starlet, although the Red Devils are still hopeful that Fernandes will be swayed to move to Manchester instead.

Whatever the case, INEOS would be wise not to put all their eggs in one basket, while there’s also the question of whether an extra midfielder is needed regardless, even if Fernandes follows Ederson to Old Trafford.

Well, that player could be Bournemouth’s Alex Scott, with journalist David Ornstein – speaking on The Athletic FC podcast – revealing that both United and Arsenal “really” want to sign the 22-year-old playmaker.

“Scott is a brilliant player and it is no surprise clubs are looking at him. Arsenal really like him. Manchester United do as well. He will have a host of suitors if it was possible to get him. If being the key word here. Bournemouth have no intention of selling him. Even if it was an astronomical offer, they are adamant he is staying put for the first season of Marco Rose.

“An interesting element is that his contract is starting to wind down. I’m sure they would like to renew but if there is a possibility of a move I’m not sure he would be in favour of extending. He is being discussed at Arsenal and Manchester United and I’m sure elsewhere.”

Prior talk has suggested that if Scott were to depart the Vitality Stadium this summer, he could fetch as much as £80m.

How Scott compares to Mateus Fernandes

There are fears creeping in that Spurs could pip United to the post when it comes to Fernandes, with Roberto De Zerbi’s side seemingly set for an extensive and expensive summer of recruitment, following their narrow survival escape.

The West Ham youngster is a truly exciting, high-potential talent, not least due to the ongoing comparisons to a certain Bruno Fernandes, with it easy to see why he is commanding such intense interest from the Premier League’s elite.

And yet, while all the focus may be directed toward the Portuguese, it would be foolish to overlook Scott’s own soaring status, the Guernsey-born midfielder enjoying a fine season in his own right on the south coast.

The former Bristol City starlet was particularly masterful when Michael Carrick’s side played out a thrilling 2-2 draw with the Cherries earlier this year, running the show in his roaming, deep-lying role.

In all, he racked up 82 touches, played two key passes and won 100% of his duels and tackles, dictating proceedings so effortlessly in his graceful, gliding style.

That quality was also seen up against eventual champions Arsenal soon after, with Scott sweeping home what looked to be a decisive goal in the title race to make it 2-1 at the Emirates.

Meanwhile, for Fernandes, his subsequent failed attempt against the Gunners and David Raya had significant ramifications at both ends of the table.

Of course, that shouldn’t count against the Portuguese too greatly, while his tally of seven goal involvements was actually comfortably clear of Scott last term, the former England U21 international only registering four goals and assists himself.

And yet, that doesn’t tell the full story, with Scott boasting a superior record of his own across a string of metrics, as noted by ScoutLab’s player comparison tool.

Indeed, the Bournemouth sensation notably bettered Fernandes with regard to shots, big chances and big chances created per 90 in 2025/26, seemingly more adept at influencing proceedings in the final third.

That is also seen in the fact that Scott came out on top for both progressive carries and successful dribbles to boot, boasting that ability to glide his way up the pitch from deep.

Defensively too, Scott edges it with regard to tackles and interceptions, recoveries, box clearances and aerial duels won, the latter particularly crucial as United seek to replace Casemiro’s dominant influence.

And so, while Fernandes may be the name on everybody’s lips right now, perhaps it is actually Scott who should be generating the greater intrigue and attention.