Liverpool have entered the race to sign Mateus Fernandes from West Ham United, with talks already held with the Portuguese midfielder’s representatives this month.
The move comes amid sweeping changes at Anfield following a deeply disappointing 2025/26 Premier League campaign that saw Liverpool finish fifth with just 60 points.
FSG made the bold decision to part ways with head coach Arne Slot after that underwhelming season, replacing him with Andoni Iraola as the club looks to rebuild its title-winning identity.
Despite finishing fifth, Liverpool have secured Champions League football for next season thanks to England’s strong European coefficient ranking, giving Iraola a platform to work from.
Sporting director Richard Hughes is now tasked with reshaping the squad, and the midfield is considered the most urgent area requiring significant investment this summer.
According to TEAMtalk, Liverpool are lurking in the background as Manchester United push to sign Fernandes, with the 22-year-old valued at a staggering £80m by West Ham despite their relegation to the Championship.
West Ham have transfer-listed Fernandes at that eye-catching fee even after suffering back-to-back relegations, a clear indicator of how highly regarded the young Portuguese midfielder is across the division.
Football writer Joost van der Leij has described Fernandes as a “superstar” of a player, and his performances this season did little to argue against that lofty assessment.
The stats paint a compelling picture when comparing Fernandes to Alexis Mac Allister in the 2025/26 season, with Fernandes recording more touches, more accurate passes, more successful dribbles, more ball recoveries, and far more tackles and interceptions per 90 minutes.
Mac Allister managed just two goals and four assists across 37 appearances, while Fernandes matched those creative numbers with greater defensive output and physical presence throughout the campaign.
Curtis Jones continuing to attract interest from Inter Milan only adds further urgency to Liverpool’s need to bring in quality midfield reinforcement ahead of the new season.
Iraola’s high-intensity attacking system demands energetic, dynamic midfielders who can carry the ball, press aggressively, and contribute at both ends of the pitch consistently.
Fernandes fits that profile precisely, combining combative defending with genuine creativity on the ball, qualities that suggest he could thrive under the new Liverpool head coach.
Signing Fernandes would also represent a direct blow to Manchester United’s own rebuilding plans, making the deal doubly attractive from Liverpool’s perspective heading into a crucial summer.