By Kris Gonzo | Senior West Ham Columnist (Follow on X)
Manchester United are supposedly ready to make their first offer for midfielder Mateus Fernandes, but according to a report in the Mirror today, it will not be the £80 million that West Ham want.
I have to say that this is something of a bizarre transfer strategy from the movers and shakers at Old Trafford, who have been promising and leaking news about a proposed Fernandes bid for the past two weeks.
Quite why anybody should take this latest development seriously is anyone’s guess.
Talking Is The Easy Part
The likes of Fabrizio Romano reported last week that Manchester United had been in contact with Fernandes’ agent, Jorge Mendes, and that advanced discussions had taken place.
That’s all well and good, of course, right up until the point where you actually have to agree a fee with the selling club.
And that’s where the problems begin.
West Ham have made it abundantly clear that they are under no pressure to sell cheaply, and there seems to be a steely resolve in the corridors of power at the London Stadium at the moment.
West Ham Can Afford To Wait
With Daniel Kretinsky calling the shots and enjoying the backing of the board, the club’s objective appears to be retaining as many key players as possible.
A cash injection from the Czech billionaire is still expected and, as a result, West Ham can afford to wait for the right offer rather than accepting the first bid that lands on the table.
That changes the dynamic completely.
Under the previous regime, buying clubs sensed vulnerability and knew we were skint.
That doesn’t appear to be the case now.
Pay Up Or Shut Up
Manchester United have already been priced out of a move for Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson, with reports suggesting his valuation reached £121 million.
As a result, they have switched their attention to Fernandes.
But repeatedly briefing journalists about an imminent bid feels more like a negotiating tactic than genuine progress.
West Ham know exactly what they want for the player.
And from everything coming out of the club right now, they appear only half-listening to anything below their valuation.
Premier League clubs may have to accept that West Ham are nowhere near as financially vulnerable as many assume.
At the moment, it feels very much like a case of pay up or shut up.
Fernandes is a West Ham player under contract.Regardless of what the player wants,West Ham seem ready to let him go but at the price they want and not what Man U are prepared to pay.There’s a long way to go to the end of the transfer window.
The club now has a serviceable debt. This wasn’t the case 2 weeks ago when desperate fire sales were required to pay the off debts. I don’t think some of the youtube fan channels of clubs like Man utd are up to date on all matters West Ham. They haven’t read the memo. They think we’re in disarray, they think we’re all dejected with our tails between our legs. Not a bit of it, I can’t wait for the season to start, I want us to try and lift that very famous first division trophy just like all English champions did for a century between 1891 to 1992 before English football was reinvented for the hard of thinking in 92.
I thought he wanted to win things……….
Fernandes is not worth that amount of money. I would walk away if I was asked to pay such amount.
Good walk away
All the media noise is six of one, half a dozen of the other, both clubs are playing the game.
Fernandes only has one international cap, and one season’s PL experience, that in no way justifies doubling the price. Yes, he has potential and that probably does entitile WestHam to a profit but lets not get greedy, otherwise you’ll be left with a very disgruntled player. Better to sell for a reasonable price and reinvest in players who want to play for the club.
“ It serves no advantage for any buying club to discuss transfer business in the press”
Except to unsettle the player of course!!
Which does seem to be happening in this case, as man u knew it would. (Champions league vs Championship)
Obvious innit!
Much more likely the buying club leaked info.
You need to I’d try and do better If you’re going to call an article rubbish.
Frankly you’ve made yourself look stupid
Pay up or shut up
I am glad Kritensky is holding his ground. Why should Man Utd think they can tell us what they want to pay. £80 million plus or get lost, you have to pay for descent players if you want them, not try and rip us off because of the predicament Sullivan has put us in.
You are dealng with a business man now who knows what he wants for our club. Yes we need money to balance the books, but at last we have got someone who is not going to be rolled over
Fernandes you might have your sights set on a move but can not let you go for under what the club value you at.
It is just such a shame we have lost our premiership place., but I feel already things are looking up for us hammers fans and am really excited for next season and think we will bounce straight back