West Ham are holding firm on their £80 million valuation of Mateus Fernandes as Real Madrid join a growing list of European heavyweights tracking the midfielder.
The 21-year-old Portuguese international was recently listed amongst several Hammers players the club would ideally like to persuade to remain at the London Stadium.
However, that stance has been accompanied by a valuation which appears geared more towards maximising a transfer fee than genuinely encouraging the midfielder to stay.
European Giants Circle Fernandes
Reports suggest José Mourinho is keen on signing his compatriot should Aurélien Tchouaméni leave Real Madrid this summer.
Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United and Arsenal have also been credited with an interest in Fernandes, which West Ham believe leaves them in a strong negotiating position.
A club insider told Claret & Hugh this afternoon:
“There is no way he’ll [Fernandes] be sold on the cheap.”
West Ham Face Difficult Battle
There certainly appears to be growing confidence within West Ham that the club can recoup significant funds through player sales this summer.
There is also optimism that some key players can still be persuaded to remain despite relegation.
That said, Fernandes always looked likely to be the most difficult case of all.
Quite apart from the money involved, it would be a huge ask to persuade either the player or his agent, Jorge Mendes, to forgo Champions League football in favour of a season in the Championship.
The issue is going to be that will teams of the calibre of Real Madrid and PSG showing interest the player and his agent are going to be pushing for a move.
I hope we get 80million plus.
Yes teams looking to buy him on the cheap,forget it or try and find a player of his age and class, you will struggle.
We need to pay our debts so I hope Fernandes does the descent thing and understands we must get the best deal for West Ham.
Fernandes should thank us for getting him into a position where the top clubs now want him.
My worry is we sell players to pay the debt then borrow more pay day loans and end up exactly where we are now