Manchester United faces three potential hijacks as Tottenham is willing to pay £85 million for M. Fernandes. Carrick may instead target the England midfielder.

After securing their first signing, Ederson, Manchester United has been trying to drive down the transfer fee for West Ham midfielder Matheus Fernandes. The Red Devils have remained patient, believing that the Hammers urgently need to sell to raise funds and that other interested clubs like Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain have been watching from the sidelines, giving them the upper hand. But out of nowhere, Tottenham, who successfully avoided relegation, has suddenly entered the race with great intensity.

What impact will Tottenham’s entry into the race for M. Fernandes have on Manchester United? Facing competition from Premier League rivals and European giants in the summer window is to be expected. Manchester United still holds strong appeal. Last summer, despite not having European qualification, they still secured Cunha, Mbeumo, and Sesko, even though these players received offers from other clubs—for example, Sesko was a target for Newcastle United, and Mbeumo was also pursued by Tottenham.

A year earlier, Manchester United snatched Leny Yoro from Real Madrid, signing the French center-back for €62 million. Yoro’s agent is the same as M. Fernandes’—Portuguese super-agent Jorge Mendes. However, the operation that allowed United to beat Real Madrid for Yoro could now serve as a template for Tottenham.

Personal terms between Manchester United and M. Fernandes are not expected to be an issue. However, even if United is the player’s preferred destination, Tottenham’s involvement will inevitably drive up his transfer fee. Manchester United has not yet made a formal offer for M. Fernandes, but according to The Athletic, the club will soon table a bid.

West Ham is demanding between £80 million and £85 million, a figure Manchester United has been reluctant to meet. However, the Daily Mail reports that M. Fernandes’ situation is completely different from that of Ederson. United had no competitors for the 26-year-old Brazilian midfielder; Atletico Madrid had already declined to meet Atalanta’s €45 million asking price. Meanwhile, Tottenham is ready to pay West Ham’s £85 million valuation, which suits the Hammers just fine.

Manchester United now faces the same scenario as with their previous top target, Elliot Anderson. United shifted their focus to M. Fernandes precisely because Anderson’s price tag was too high, believing that M. Fernandes fell within their budget.

Nottingham Forest is demanding £126 million for Anderson, and Manchester City may eventually meet their demands. It is widely believed that Anderson’s transfer will raise the average price for Premier League midfielders this summer, pushing up fees for all midfielders.

M. Fernandes’ transfer fee will inevitably be inflated as well. If competitors are willing to meet West Ham’s price and also lure M. Fernandes and his agent with high wages on personal terms, United’s management will face a choice: either match the offer or abandon the player and consider other targets.

According to The Athletic, Manchester United has already made inquiries regarding Scott. Bournemouth is trying to extend the contract of the 22-year-old England midfielder, who has two years remaining on his current deal. Any new contract is likely to include a release clause of around £75 million. If sold this summer, Bournemouth’s public asking price is £80 million, but a deal could possibly be done for around £65 million.

Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton and Brighton’s Carlos Baleba are also long-term midfield targets for Manchester United. Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the INEOS management continue to monitor Aurelien Tchouameni’s situation at Real Madrid. It is understood that the French midfielder wants to stay at the Bernabeu, but with Jose Mourinho now in charge, the squad is still being evaluated, and no final decision has been made.

Manchester United’s interest in Sandro Tonali has cooled. The 26-year-old Italian is being heavily pursued by Manchester City and Tottenham, with Spurs particularly having already reached a personal agreement with the player. However, Tottenham’s £75 million bid to Newcastle was rejected.

Tonali is the first player Tottenham has snatched from United’s grasp, and they seem intent on avenging last summer’s loss of Mbeumo to United. Now they are not only competing for M. Fernandes but also targeting another West Ham player—Dutch left-winger Crysencio Summerville. According to The Guardian’s Jacob Steinberg, Tottenham is prepared to beat Manchester United on finances this time.

Manchester United’s plans also include signing a third, lower-cost midfield addition to create competition and provide squad depth. However, this may depend on the outcome of selling Ugarte. Shea Charles previously worked with football director Jason Wilcox at Manchester City and Southampton, so Wilcox is familiar with him. But Leeds United has already made the first move, submitting a £20 million bid for the Southampton man, which was rejected—yet they remain the frontrunners for Charles.

Carrick’s favorite at Middlesbrough, Hayden Hackney, is also a candidate. However, Everton is very keen on him, and other interested clubs include Crystal Palace and Tottenham! If Manchester United continues to take a slow approach, they may find themselves in a passive position everywhere.