Man Utd 'make contact' with £85m star as Michael Carrick nears second summer signing

Manchester United have opened talks over a player valued at £85 million to become their second summer signing, it has been reported.

United reached an agreement over the signing of Atalanta midfielder Ederson last week.

He will move to Old Trafford, pending a medical, in a deal worth an initial £35 million plus £4m in add-ons. The move is expected to be completed in July.

Since the agreement was announced, Ederson has been named in Brazil's World Cup squad as an injury replacement for right-back Wesley, which could delay the finalising of the transfer.

United have been linked with a move for Real Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni over recent weeks.

But The Sun claim that Jose Mourinho, who is expected to return to Real for a second spell as manager following the re-election of Florentino Perez, wants to keep the France international at the Bernabeu.

READ MORE: Man Utd dealt major setback in pursuit of 'dream' midfield target

That could force United to look elsewhere - and they are already examining a move for a player that new permanent head coach Michael Carrick will know very well.

United open talks over £85m transfer

According to Fabrizio Romano, United have made initial contact with recently-relegated West Ham over the signing of midfielder Mateus Fernandes.

The Hammers reportedly need to raise over £150 million in player sales after they dropped out of the top flight for the first time in 14 years.

Portugal midfielder Fernandes, who will not be going to this summer's World Cup, is one of their most valuable assets and the chances of him staying at West Ham beyond the summer transfer window appear to be close to zero.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano said: "I can tell you something: there are a lot of clubs interested in him. There are a lot of clubs - in England, rumours of Real Madrid in Spain, and more.

"Manchester United are in direct conversations with the agents of Mateus Fernandes. They made contact in the last 48 hours with the agents of the player.

Mateus Fernandes is expected to leave West Ham (Image: Getty)

"They started the conversation about the eventual course of the deal - transfer fee, but also salary.

"The price decided by West Ham for Mateus Fernandes, according to my information, is £85 million. He will leave, for sure, because he's not a player for the Championship. But West Ham are very clear on the price.

"For sure, Manchester United are very interested. After Ederson, which is done, the next one could be [Fernandes]."

All that is left to do is agree a fee, with personal terms not likely to be a problem - and with United holding most of the cards given West Ham's relegation.

Romano went on to add that Newcastle star Sandro Tonali, who has been linked with a move to Old Trafford, is 'not that close... not that concrete to Man United'.

United boss Carrick came through West Ham's academy and played for the first team between 1999 and 2004.

He was linked with taking over as manager at the London Stadium during his time at Middlesbrough, but the 45-year-old stayed put at the Riverside Stadium before his departure at the end of last season.