Journalist shares “interesting” update on Mateus Fernandes after “talking to West Ham”
West Ham star Mateus Fernandes has been a target for the east London side since joining from Southampton last summer, with clubs keen to make a move.
Clubs are after Fernandes after West Ham’s excellent campaign
It’s been a poor season for West Ham, but Fernandes has been one of the undeniable bright spots.
While the club has stumbled from one issue to the next – eluding safety for much of the campaign, now sitting 18th on 36 points with two games to play and a genuine hope – the 21-year-old has played with a composure and authority that is nowhere near the bottom of the table.
Three goals, three assists and 34 Premier League appearances only tell part of the story.
It’s the way Fernandes has played that has caught the eye: his precision with good passes, his willingness to score under pressure, his ability to dictate the tempo in midfield.
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The England midfielder was one of the standout players in Nuno’s squad.
He scored the fastest goal of the Premier League season – after 29 seconds against Aston Villa in December – and has been West Ham’s best player in a team that has given him little significant support.
For a player in his first season at the club, signed from Southampton for just over £40m last summer, the practice has been good.
The journalist shares the exciting update of Mateus Fernandes from West Ham
It was not seen.
According to TEAMtalk, Man United, Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, Man City and PSG have all made inquiries about the player in recent weeks.
Fernandes is believed to be keen on a move to Old Trafford, but the race is still on for the West Ham star.
Michael Carrick is understood to be considering Fernandes as a priority in his first full summer window at Old Trafford, but competition is fierce and growing by the day.
West Ham, however, have no intention of making it easy for anyone.
TEAMtalk insider Graeme Bailey revealed the team’s stance, and it’s defiant:
“When they talk to West Ham, they know relegation is a topic they may have to talk about soon,” said Bailey.
“But when they talk about Fernandes, they told me an interesting point that even if they are relegated, whoever is going to get him is buying a Premier League player, not a Championship player.
“He’s shown this season how good he is and they firmly believe he has a price that reflects that. Although there’s no exact figure they’re putting, I believe they’ll be looking for around £70million and if they stick to that, it narrows down who’s going to buy him.”
It’s a bold position, but not an unreasonable one.
Fernandes is 21, under contract until 2030, and has already shown he can play at the highest level in English football. The Premier League’s market for young, tested midfielders is very much in favor of sellers at the moment, and West Ham know that better than anyone.
Internally, the choice would be to keep Fernandes and build around him – but that only works if the club stays.
If relegation is confirmed in the coming weeks, the financial realities of football will make keeping a player of his caliber almost impossible.
An asking price of £70m, in that case, is less about keeping him and more about ensuring West Ham get the most value out of their best asset.
Off to Newcastle next Sunday, and the numbers are brutal.
Anything short of results in their last two games could seal West Ham’s fate. Fernandes will give it his all, as he has done all season. Whether it is enough remains to be seen.
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