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The reason Mateus Fernandes’ transfer is nowhere near done | West Ham News

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Tottenham and Manchester United have reportedly agreed personal terms with Mateus Fernandes, but with both clubs still only preparing their formal bids, the end of this drawn‑out transfer saga remains some way off.
For a player approaching 22 years of age, his salary projectory over the last few years is nothing short of impressive!

According to Capology, which provides an estimation of players wages, when at Southampton in 2024/25  the Portuguese midfielder was earning a ‘modest’ £20k a week (bonus unknown?) which rose to £60k with a £15k bonus (£75k) when he joined West Ham last summer – a significant increase!

Ironically, relegation has caused those numbers to halve yet still they are higher than the wages he earned in the Premier League whilst a Saints player.

Mateus Fernandes

Implications of a big transfer payout are huge for both Man U and Spurs

Our North London rivals and Manchester United are reportedly offering approximately £130k-£140k a week which has turned the player’s head.

Yet, whereas wages are spread across the term of the contract, the transfer fee impacts the buying club’s SCR calculations immediately post 30th June, through amortisation, making any deal harder, given West Ham’s asking price of between £80m-£85m.

United are constrained by a 70% cap under SCR, as they will compete in the Champions League, Tottenham have more wriggle room at an 85% cap, and a lower overall wage bill compared to the Red Devils.

For West Ham, the player’s reduced salary is manageable in the Championship, at least for one season, and with a contract running until 2030 the club has some leverage.

It is still expected that Fernandes will leave the London stadium this summer, yet the interested clubs will need to meet the Hammers valuation. If this doesn’t happen he will remain a West Ham player, and as things stand at present is set to start against Burnley on Sunday 16th August.

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I have been a season ticket holder since the late eighties, so experienced the highs and lows of being a West Ham supporter. I previously wrote for OLAS and have contributed to a number of football publications in the past.

4 comments

  • D says:

    Little bird told me Fernandes might just be going to Liverpool now. Manchester United and Tottenham faffing around. Liverpool swoop in and do the business.

  • pat says:

    I think we need to put a date on by which the deal has to be done otherwise forget it because of the impact on our own dealings in the market…if DK is telling the truth that we do not have to sell then letting the player and Agent no that if the transfer is not completed by a certain date then it will not be happening regardless.

  • Morty says:

    I assume the 50% salary reduction is the club’s right under contract, but does not have to be imposed on players they are keen to retain

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