Manchester United begin talks to sign £80m Arsenal target

Manchester United have made their move to sign Mateus Fernandes from West Ham (PA Wire)

Manchester United have begun negotiations to sign West Ham midfielder Mateus Fernandes ahead of Arsenal , according to reports.

Fernandes is expected to leave West Ham in the summer transfer window with the club planning a £150 million fire sale following their relegation from the Premier League .

The 21-year-old was signed from Southampton last summer in a deal worth £38m plus £4m in add-ons and impressed in his debut season with West Ham.

Fernandes has attracted widespread interest from several clubs including United, Arsenal , Paris Saint-Germain and Atletico Madrid .

According to The Athletic , United have now ‘held talks over a potential fee and wages’ for Fernandes, while West Ham are resigned to losing the midfielder this summer.

West Ham are demanding an £80m fee for Mateus Fernandes (Getty)

Last week, reports claimed that Fernandes had made United his first-choice destination for the summer window , despite interest from rival Premier League sides.

West Ham are looking to receive an £80 million fee for Fernandes , who still has four years left on his contract.

United have also held talks with Atalanta over a deal for their Brazilian midfielder Ederson.

Reports in Italy last month claimed that United had agreed an initial €53 million (£45.8m) deal with Atalanta .