West Ham’s search for a midfielder this summer has been a saga in itself — and not the fun kind. Graham Potter has been chasing targets up and down the country and beyond, but so far, nothing has stuck.
There was the flirtation with Jacob Ramsey, but he packed his bags for Newcastle instead, the lure of Champions League football proving too much for the Hammers to compete with.
Then came the ambitious — some might say delusional — attempt to prise Marc Casado from Barcelona, which everyone with half a brain knew would be knocked back. La Masia’s brightest stars don’t tend to end up in Stratford, let’s be honest.
And, of course, there’s been the long-running pursuit of Southampton’s Mateus Fernandes — Potter’s top target and the name at the very top of the Hammers’ wishlist. A £30 million offer went in, was swiftly rejected, and it looked like that might be over.
But now, there’s a new update.
West Ham Submit Improved Fernandes Bid
Southampton's Mateus Fernandes. (REUTERS/David Klein)
Southampton’s Mateus Fernandes. (REUTERS/David Klein)
West Ham’s relentless pursuit of Fernandes is far from over.
The latest update, courtesy of Jacob Steinberg, reveals that the Hammers have now submitted an improved offer for the 21-year-old midfielder. But has it been enough to meet Southampton’s lofty demands?
Southampton are said to want a fee closer to £60 million, nearly double West Ham’s original bid. And let’s be real — that kind of asking price feels more than a little steep for a player who’s yet to truly prove himself in the Premier League and, let’s not forget, was relegated last season with the Saints.
Here’s where it gets tricky: the Hammers really need to get this right, and quick.
A £30 million bid for a promising, but largely untested, player seems reasonable — maybe even £40 million at a push. But any more than that? That starts to feel like silly money that could be far better invested in other problem areas, especially with the club’s ongoing struggles.
As always, West Ham’s patience is being tested. Will they meet Southampton’s demands, or will Fernandes slip through their fingers as yet another midfielder target goes up in smoke? Stay tuned…