Credit: Imago

Evan Lloyd

Thu 14 May 2026 15:28, UK

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Mateus Fernandes has emerged among Arsenal’s top targets this summer amid West Ham United’s potential relegation.

The Portugal international has enjoyed an impressive season despite the Hammers’ struggles, which have left them needing to claw back a two-point deficit in the final two games to survive the drop.

Fernandes could have put West Ham ahead against Arsenal last week, but saw his massive chance saved by the legs of David Raya after he went through on goal.

Just minutes later, the Gunners scored through Leandro Trossard and would go on to survive a late scare when Callum Wilson’s equaliser was disallowed on VAR review.

West Ham transfer chiefs have been aware of mounting interest in Fernandes for some time, and Arsenal appear to have emerged as a top contender.

Arsenal want the next Declan Rice in Mateus Fernandes

Football Insider exclusively revealed last week that West Ham have placed an £84million price tag on Fernandes ahead of the summer.

Liverpool, Manchester United and Aston Villa are those touted to join Arsenal in the race for the midfielder, with the London club keen to make a significant profit on the £42m they paid Southampton last summer.

Arsenal know better than most how tough the Hammers can be in negotiations, after the weeks spent eventually agreeing the £105m deal that saw Declan Rice make the switch in 2023.

The 27-year-old has developed into arguably the world’s best midfielder at the Emirates Stadium, and he shares some similarities with Fernandes.

According to The Times, Arsenal are interested in the 21-year-old and West Ham may have to sell to keep in line with the financial rules, if they are relegated.

Mikel Arteta will hope that the player’s push for the move will also help bring a potential fee down, after he made it clear that he did not want to play in the Championship last summer.

The stats behind Fernandes’ season

Fernandes has netted three goals and provided three assists from midfield for West Ham this season, often sitting deep but with a licence to get forward, similarly to Rice.

The 21-year-old’s defensive numbers are superb. Every 90 minutes, he completes over three tackles, more than five recoveries, an interception and a clearance. The midfielder wins more than six duels a game.

But it is perhaps his ability on the ball which will really stand out to Arsenal.

The West Ham talent completes 60.9 per cent of his attempted dribbles and wins 1.52 fouls every 90 minutes.

Arteta demands a high technical level all over the pitch, and Fernandes represents exactly that. Should he arrive at the Emirates Stadium this summer, he will join a group of extremely powerful Arsenal midfielders.