Liverpool can pull off another hijack as they accelerate plan to sign athletic midfielder
Liverpool have positioned themselves to hijack a move for West Ham United star Mateus Fernandes as they accelerate their plans to sign a midfielder, sources have told Football Insider.
The Merseyside giants have already pulled off one ambush this summer.
Victor Munoz seemed to be on his way to Newcastle United from Osasuna before the Reds secured an eleventh-hour deal last week by triggering his release clause.
The Merseyside outfit spent a record sum on signings last summer and there is a growing sense they will be very active again in the current window after a disappointing 2025-26 campaign.
Sources say that one of Liverpool's priorities is a central midfielder with the energy and athleticism to lift a midfield that so often looked flat under sacked former manager Arne Slot last season.
Liverpool have reportedly made contact with West Ham for Fernandes and could potentially beat Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur to his signing.
The Reds are evidently in need of midfield reinforcements after Slot failed to get the best out of his team this season, and the Portuguese ace can strengthen Andoni Iraola's squad.
With over £85million needed to get a deal over the line for the 21-year-old, it remains to be seen whether any team will match the valuation set at London Stadium.
Liverpool enter race for Mateus Fernandes transfer
Liverpool enquired about Fernandes a few weeks ago to understand what it would take to acquire his signature this summer.
Since then, the Reds haven't submitted a bid or opened official talks with West Ham for the Portugal international, who scored three goals and provided four assists in 36 Premier League appearances in the 2025-26 campaign.
Fabrizio Romano has revealed that the Merseyside outfit are indeed interested in the talented midfielder, who joined the Hammers for around £40m last summer from Southampton.
As things stand, Man United and Spurs are working on signing Fernandes, who won't come cheap, but it's clear that the Anfield hierarchy are looking at potential midfield recruits.
Speaking on Born 'N Red on 22 June, Romano said, "I will tell you something that was not so public in the recent days and weeks. Liverpool made a call two weeks ago to understand the situation of Fernandes at West Ham, to understand the price and conditions, but they didn’t return with any bid or any official conversation.
"But they made a call two weeks ago, I can guarantee that. Tottenham and Man United are busy with a deal, so there are so many clubs involved. The player is going to be expensive, more than £85m. It means Liverpool are working on midfielders."
Anfield hierarchy have succession plan in place with Mateus Fernandes plans
Football Insider transfer correspondent Pete O'Rourke shared on 13 June that Liverpool could be open to selling Alexis Mac Allister this summer, with Real Madrid keeping an eye on him.
The Argentine World Cup winner has been one of the best players at Anfield since signing from Brighton & Hove Albion in 2023, but his form has fallen off a cliff over the last 12 months.
With two years left on the 27-year-old's contract at the Merseyside outfit, now may be the perfect time to cash in on him and refresh the engine room with a new face like Fernandes.