Ben Jacobs: West Ham Want £85m for Mateus Fernandes

One of English football's most dynamic transfer files concentrates on the future of Portuguese midfielder Mateus Fernandes. According to TalkSPORT reporter Ben Jacobs' latest post from his social media account, West Ham United have set a high price tag for the 21-year-old player. According to information shared by Jacobs, the relegated Hammers are demanding exactly twice the £38m+£4m they paid Southampton last summer: around £85 million.

The detailed information Ben Jacobs shared is as follows: "West Ham value Mateus Fernandes at double the £38m+£4m they paid to Southampton, as previously reported. Manchester United and Arsenal both considering a move and hold a lower valuation. PSG also have the West Ham midfielder on their radar. Fernandes does not have a relegation release clause." This information shows that the player provides significant leverage to West Ham at the negotiation table. The Hammers do not want to go below this figure despite the financial pressure brought by relegation.

It should be emphasised that Mateus Fernandes has a striking file. The 21-year-old Portuguese midfielder experienced relegation in two consecutive seasons: he went down to the EFL Championship with Southampton in 2024-25 and West Ham in 2025-26. Yet despite this negative team performance, he individually made his mark in the Premier League. According to Sky Sports, decision makers inside West Ham believe Fernandes was one of the best young players in the Premier League last season and has the potential to become as good as Declan Rice. This comparison clearly shows the scale of the impression the player created.

Mateus Fernandes, whose contract is valid until 2029, has a market value of around 31-34 million euros according to football data sources. West Ham's £85 million (around 99 million euros) demand therefore contains a significant premium. An additional factor is the sales premium owed to Southampton: Saints earned a 15% resale clause in last summer's transfer. So West Ham will not be able to keep all the revenue they get from Fernandes; this is an additional pressure factor pushing the Hammers toward a high demand strategy.

On the Manchester United side, the transfer plan becomes clearer. According to Sky Sports, the Old Trafford team reached a £38 million agreement with Atalanta's Brazilian Ederson; Mateus Fernandes is prioritised as the second major reinforcement to be made to the midfield. Previously, Elliot Anderson of Nottingham Forest was United's first choice but they did not compete with Manchester City's £121 million bid. The INEOS administration found Anderson expensive at this figure and turned to the Fernandes option.

Looking at Ben Jacobs' previous reports, Manchester United's approach takes clearer shape. Jacobs had written: "Manchester United view Elliot Anderson as a dream target, but they won't get sucked into a bidding war, especially without player buy in first. Cost of deal, plus a feeling Anderson favours Manchester City, mean Manchester United are advancing on other targets as of now. Matheus Fernandes remains one to watch with talks underway on player side. Bournemouth will speak to Alex Scott further on his future soon and value him at around £80m. Carlos Baleba on Manchester United's list as well."

It should also be underlined that PSG is closely interested in Fernandes. The Paris side is considering a third Portuguese reinforcement to the midfield alongside Vitinha and Joao Neves; Fernandes is seen as a suitable profile for this role. Arsenal is also closely following the Portuguese midfielder at Mikel Arteta's request. The interest of three big clubs strengthens West Ham's hand at the negotiation table; however, the lower valuation made by Arsenal and United reveals that a financial meeting point will not be easy.

An important point is that Mateus Fernandes is not in the World Cup squad. Portugal head coach Roberto Martínez did not prefer Fernandes in the squad he announced for Group K. Still, as Sky Sports also stated, Fernandes is not under obligation to stay at West Ham as his contract does not have a relegation release clause. In the coming weeks, Manchester United's move, Arsenal's counter-offer and PSG's position will determine the Hammers' actual negotiation tactics. One of the toughest negotiations of the post-World Cup transfer period seems to take place here.

Source: Ben Jacobs (TalkSPORT)

Image: talksport.com