West Ham midfielder Mateus Fernandes does not have a relegation release clause in his contract, according to a “top” source at the club.
Reports in Spain have raised the prospect of the Portuguese Under 21 international leaving for a cut-price fee if the Hammers drop down to the Championship, but when Claret & Hugh asked an insider about the claim, the response was emphatic:
“Not True.”
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Fernandes was only signed from Southampton for a fee in excess of £40m last summer, so agreeing such a clause would have damaged the club financially.
The sharks are circling Fernandes
There has been speculation over the last few days that the likes of Manchester City and Manchester United are big fans of the 21-year-old, along with Spanish giants Real Madrid.
However, there have been no credible sources confirming the interest, and it appears that, for now, Fernandes will be staying at the London Stadium.
Another midfielder could soon be leaving West Ham
While Fernandes will not be on the move in the immediate future, the situation is rather different for James Ward-Prowse. The 31-year-old has not played a single minute of football since Nuno Espirito Santo’s arrival back in September.
A departure during the January transfer window always seemed likely, and it seems Burnley are the ones leading the race to snap up the midfielder before the end of the month.
Josh Cullen has suffered an ACL injury, and manager Scott Parker is seeking a replacement, with Ward-Prowse one of the main candidates. Talks are said to be underway, although it is not clear at the moment whether the Clarets are seeking a loan deal or a permanent transfer.
Ward-Prowse has also been linked with a return to Southampton, two and a half years after leaving St Mary’s for the Irons in a deal worth £30m.
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