While the World Cup group stages are drawing to a conclusion and the knockout stages beginning, back in England the transfer window is well underway for Premier League clubs.
All 20 top flight sides are likely to be busy in the market this summer, ahead of the start of the upcoming season in August.
Manchester United are one side that could be particularly busy in the market this summer, with Michael Carrick likely to want to make changes to his squad before the start of the 2026/27 campaign.
With that in mind, it has emerged that the Red Devils are focussing on a move to sign a midfielder from the Championship.
As per Sky Sports Germany’s Florian Plettenberg, Manchester United are determined to complete a deal to sign midfielder Mateus Fernandes from West Ham United this summer.
Fernandes, 21, joined the Hammers from Southampton last summer and enjoyed a fine debut season in east London, despite West Ham’s relegation from the top flight.
Fernandes was part of the West Ham side that were relegated from the Premier League last season (Photo: MI/Alamy)
The Portuguese made a total of 38 appearances for West Ham during his debut season in the capital, but he has since been heavily linked with a move away from The London Stadium and Plettenberg claims that United are desperate to agree a deal to lure him to Manchester.
The Red Devils will face competition in the race to land Fernandes, though, with Tottenham Hotspur also keen on the Portugal international, according to the report.
It is claimed that negotiations between Man United and West Ham are ongoing, although personal terms will not prove to be an issue for the Red Devils.
Fernandes’ current contract with West Ham is set to run until June 2030, but it appears almost certain that he will leave the club before the end of the current transfer window.