Credit: Imago

Daniel Lewis

Sat 11 April 2026 17:10, UK Updated Sat 11 April 2026 18:22, UK

West Ham United midfielder Mateus Fernandes has reportedly emerged as a summer transfer target for Manchester City.

Fernandes has impressed for the Hammers this season and was recently touted as a target for City’s local rivals Manchester United, as well as fellow Premier League side Liverpool.

The 21-year-old earned his first senior appearance for the Portugal national team during the international break – a just reward for his form at club level.

With the former Southampton player still having three years to run on his London Stadium contract, he will not come cheap.

As the summer transfer window nears, though, speculation regarding Fernandes’ future is refusing to go away.

Man City see Mateus Fernandes as Bernardo Silva replacement

West Ham spent big on bringing Fernandes to East London, having splashed out £38million, plus £4m in add-ons, to bring him in from Championship side Southampton.

Fernandes has impressed for West Ham this term, even if the Hammers have spent the majority of the campaign embroiled in the relegation mire.

That form is not going unnoticed, as reports from abroad suggest Man City could be about to rival Man United – and anyone else – for the midfielder’s signature.

And as pointed out in the same report, City could have a secret weapon of sorts as the Citizens’ sporting director is Hugo Vianna.

Vianna is a former teammate of Fernandes’s from his time in Portugal, which could work in City’s favour.

The reigning English champions are said to see Fernandes as an ideal replacement for Bernardo Silva, who is set to depart the Etihad Stadium this summer.

West Ham have simple call to make over Fernandes’ future

It is worth pointing out that the same report goes on to mention West Ham do not consider Fernandes for sale.

That is despite a potential transfer tug-of-war being possible if the recent speculation from multiple sources is anything to go by.

Considering the Hammers took a gamble in paying up to £42m for Fernandes, they would not consider selling for anything less than double that.

Even then, there is simply no reason to sell. This is all assuming the Irons do not drop down to the second tier, of course.

If United do stay above that dotted line, which now looks more possible thanks to the 4-0 win over Wolves, the board need to strengthen rather than weaken the squad.

Fernandes is not going anywhere, which will only stand West Ham in good stead for years to come.