Mateus Fernandes upgrade is now Man Utd’s “dream” target

The transfer window is a funny old beast, isn’t it, with players who wouldn’t have been on anyone’s true radar a month ago now viewed as an urgent, must-have signing for Manchester United.

Mateus Fernandes seemingly falls into that category, an undoubtedly talented, highly-regarded prospect, yet not exactly in that real upper echelon of elite European midfielders.

The 21-year-old is fresh off the back of a second successive Premier League relegation, yet appears to have emerged as United’s leading target, amid the expected Manchester City capture of Elliot Anderson.

Free-spending Tottenham Hotspur joining the race for the Portuguese has been viewed as something of a blow, should the player wish to remain in London, yet the Red Devils could have bigger fish to fry as the window progresses.

Man Utd make Fernandes alternative the “dream” target

There are conflicting reports over what the future holds for young Fernandes, although the belief is that the Old Trafford side still have the edge over Spurs as things stand.

Personal terms are not expected to be an issue, although the key obstacle is the price tag, with West Ham United still set to demand a fee in the region of £80m, despite their drop into the second tier.

Anderson’s potential £120m switch to the Etihad appears to have inflated the midfield market, with there a question to be asked over whether such a statement fee really is value for money.

Equally too, there are perhaps more high-profile options on the table, with Fabrizio Romano, speaking on his YouTube channel, suggesting that Real Madrid’s Aurelien Tchouameni remains the club’s “dream target”.

According to Romano, INEOS’ interest in the Frenchman is “absolutely confirmed”, although a key sticking point is the “very big salary” that he currently takes home at the Bernabeu.

“May United had the possibility to decide the perfect player to replace Casemiro, probably internally the name mentioned was going to be Aurelien Tchouameni.

“Perfect defensive midfielder, top European experience, elite player. So the interest was absolutely absolutely confirmed. The problem of this deal is double. One is that Real Madrid so far are yet to open doors to an exit of Tchouameni.

“So club to club and then the salary because Aurelien is on a very big salary at Real Madrid and for Manchester United to match that salary was not part of the plans.”

This comes amid parallel reports from United insiders which suggest that United have already held talks with the 26-year-old’s agent, ensuring this is a deal to keep an eye on.

Tchouameni would be a perfect Mateus Fernandes upgrade

Say what you will over Casemiro’s ageing legs and declining mobility, but the Brazilian’s class and quality has never been in doubt in Manchester, rounding things off with a stellar 2026 under Michael Carrick.

It took sky-high wages and a sizeable £70m price tag in order to lure the then-30-year-old to Old Trafford in 2022, but such a premium product requires a premium fee, with the South American ultimately proving one of the more successful, beloved additions of the post-Sir Alex Ferguson.

Sometimes you have to pay the big bucks to get that truly world-class calibre of player, and that might be the case with Tchouameni, a player regarded as the “best defensive midfielder in the world” by former teammate Chema Andres.

Still only 26, it was the former Monaco man who replaced Casemiro previously in Madrid four years ago, since playing his part in securing Champions League glory in 2024.

Now also a key figure in France’s pursuit of World Cup success, Tchouameni is the cream of the crop in his position, a genuinely elite number six who would be worth the investment.

In LaLiga last season, for instance, he did only provide one goal contribution, but the towering talent averaged a stellar 3.5 tackles and interceptions per game, having been dribbled past just 0.5 times per outing.

A real pillar in front of the back four, he also won 68% of his total duels and 76% of his aerial duels, representing the physical, powerhouse presence that United’s midfield unit has long been crying out for.

In Mateus Fernandes’ case, the younger man is a mobile, all-action asset in the Hammers’ midfield, actually bettering Tchouameni with regard to tackles and interceptions made in the Premier League (3.9).

That said, he falls well below across other key metrics, having won just 55% of his total duels and 49% of his aerial duels, while dribbled past 1.1 times per game.

That latter record is particularly key, with Carrick’s side in need of stability in the centre of the park, rather than another asset who might leave them susceptible to being cut open, with Casemiro ending 2025/26 having been dribbled past 1.5 times per outing.

In possession too, Tchouameni is also a real force, actually bettering Fernandes with regard to ‘big chances’ created (four vs three), while also comfortable clear in terms of pass accuracy (92% vs 87%).

Fernandes might prove a more long-term investment, but United can ill-afford to be taking too many gambles in such a key area of the field, with Tchouameni surely set to remain the top priority.