Man Utd want to sign West Ham midfielder Mateus Fernandes, who should be attainable following the Hammers' relegation.
West Ham midfielder Mateus Fernandes.(Image: 2025 West Ham United FC)
View Image
Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky is set to become West Ham's biggest shareholder. Kretinsky sat down for an interview with The Times and expressed concerns about the boardroom mess at the London Stadium, while outlining how West Ham would secure promotion back to the topflight next season.
“We have a very credible strategy," he said. "We don’t need to sell the players for financial reasons. We are doing this to make sure we are promoted back to the Premier League immediately. That is our only goal.
“Key players are waiting for us. They want to see there is a real chance of keeping the squad together. What matters is funding, strategy and consistency. We have spoken to all of them. They need to see that our project is real and serious. Promotion is our only goal.”
Kretinsky's comments would have been music to the ears of West Ham supporters, but they are detached from reality: Premier League clubs are above Championship clubs in the food chain.
The vultures circle for new signings when clubs drop to the second tier, and Manchester United have sensed an opportunity to sign two of West Ham's best players this summer.
West Ham have slapped an £85m price tag on Fernandes, but that will be a starting point in negotiations. Fernandes has back-to-back relegations from the Premier League on his CV, having joined West Ham from Southampton last year, but he is seen as a player with all the ingredients to reach the top of the sport, which is why United are interested in signing him.
The 21-year-old is certain to leave this summer, and West Ham are aware of that, which is damaging their negotiating power. Fernandes will become the record holder for a sale for a Championship club (£58m), but United will not want to pay in excess of £70m for him.
Although Kretinsky has insisted West Ham do not need to sell their best players, the truth is they will not stand in the way of a player who wants to leave and who could be sold for a high fee to reinvest in the squad.
The Championship is a relentless division, and it's challenging to gain promotion back to the Premier League at the first time of asking, even in the era of a widening chasm between the leagues and parachute payments.
West Ham need players who are 100 per cent dedicated to their cause. Fernandes is a professional, but nobody could blame him for having his head turned after attracting interest from United and Real Madrid.
There is also the prospect of United completing a double transfer from West Ham this summer, as Crysencio Summerville has emerged as a target on the left wing shortlist. The London club value Summerville at around £50m.
United have wanted to strengthen the left flank for some time now. Matheus Cunha was signed last year, but he's shown a tendency to drift centrally, and a backup option will be needed in a 60-plus game season.
West Ham are highly unlikely to turn down around £110m for Fernandes and Summerville, despite what Kretinsky may say.
Some United fans will question why the club are interested in two players who were relegated, but being involved in a relegation should not taint talented players.
The strategy worked for Liverpool when they signed Andy Robertson from Hull City and Georginio Wijnaldum from Newcastle. And there are other examples of Premier League clubs poaching the best players from relegated teams.