Manchester United line up Mateus Fernandes alternative

It’s all very quiet on the Manchester United front in their pursuit of signing West Ham United midfielder Mateus Fernandes.

Following the Red Devils’ missing out on top target Elliot Anderson to Manchester City, their attention has turned towards the Portuguese starlet, but one club are in the ascendancy.

London club Tottenham Hotspur appear to lead the race for the 21-year-old, willing to outspend United to win his services, and have already agreed personal terms with Fernandes, as CentreDevils exclusively revealed.

Following Manuel Ugarte’s injury while on Uruguay duty, as he was stretchered off in his nation’s final World Cup group stage game, United’s transfer budget in the midfield could be significantly reduced if the failed signing from PSG cannot be shifted. This could strike a real blow to their window, and while the pursuit for Mateus Fernandes continues, Manchester United have their first-choice alternative lined up should they fail to sign the West Ham talent.

Manchester United’s alternative to Mateus Fernandes will be Bournemouth midfielder, Alex Scott, according to The Daily Mail. The technical all-rounder from Guernsey heads up a list compiled by the Red Devils, which also includes Aurelien Tchouameni, Sandro Tonali, Carlos Baleba and Adam Wharton.

Alex Scott would be a shrewd signing, and will likely cost far less than West Ham’s £85m asking price for Mateus Fernandes. The 22-year-old played 37 out of 38 Premier League games for Bournemouth in the 2025/26 season, as the Cherries steamrolled to a fantastic European place under new Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola.

West Ham are playing hardball on their Mateus Fernandes stance, and with Spurs clearly ready to pay far more, Manchester United’s eyes could begin to wander elsewhere.

Alex Scott is an interesting player, but his qualities may not be best suited to partnering Kobbie Mainoo in midfield, unlike other shortlisted players: Tchouameni, Tonali, Baleba and Wharton.

The midfield market is certainly one to keep an eye on this summer, but Manchester United aren’t any closer to their second signing as it stands.