Real Madrid are keeping an eye on West Ham midfielder Mateus Fernandes and are prepared to make a shock transfer move this summer.
Fernandes signed for the Hammers in a £40million deal last summer, but could be on the move just a year later, particularly if West Ham are relegated from the Premier League.
Nuno Espirito Santo's side have edged closer to safety in recent weeks, with victories over rivals Tottenham and then Sunderland at the weekend.
Relegation Could Hit West Ham Hard
Nuno Espirito Santo
The Portuguese has played a key role, providing an assist against Spurs and getting his name on the scoresheet in the 3-1 win over the Black Cats.
The results have hauled the Hammers to within two points of safety at the bottom of the Premier League table and staying up could prove crucial to keeping Fernandes at the club.
According to Defensa Central, Real Madrid may look to make a move for Fernandes in the summer if West Ham are relegated, because he is reported to have, not a release clause but a relegation clause in his contract that says he can leave east London if the Hammers fall into the Championship.
Fernandes has been an integral player in what has been a difficult season for West Ham, starting 20 of the 21 Premier League games he has been at the club for.
Mateus Fernandes Could Be A Big Star
Mateus Fernandes
Former Southampton midfielder Jo Tessem described him as the "ultimate Premier League midfielder" last year.
He said: “Mateus Fernandes is on people’s radar because every week he plays his heart out, he is by far the best player on the football pitch from a Saints perspective.”
“He is becoming an ultimate Premier League midfielder, and clubs are not going to let that go.
“He plays like a Premier League player. He passes like a Premier League player. He is quick like a Premier League player. He conducts himself so well in midfield.”
Real Madrid Have Other Transfer Options
Manchester City's Rodri playing against Bournemouth
Real Madrid are understood to be tracking the situations of Vitinha at Paris Saint-Germain and Rodri at Manchester City ahead of a summer transfer, but Fernandes could be the outside option and the cheapest of the three deals to conclude too, if the Hammers do not survive in the Premier League this season.
West Ham would be loathe to lose such an important player but if they were to do so they would be looking to recoup as much of, if not more, than the £40million they splashed out on the 21-year-old.