Matheus Martinelli
West Ham midfield target Matheus Martinelli
West Ham United’s interest in Matheus Martinelli has been consistent in recent months. However, the Premier League club are still some distance away from matching Fluminense’s expectations.
Earlier this year, the Hammers joined other sides in submitting offers worth around €12m (£10.2m). Those approaches were rejected without negotiations, as Fluminense made clear the midfielder would not leave at that level.
Since then, the situation has only strengthened on the Brazilian side. Martinelli signed a new contract until 2030, with a release clause set at €30m (£25.6m). In parallel, the club have outlined a strategy to delay any sale until after the World Cup, hoping his value will increase further.
Against that backdrop, the latest update from Brazil adds another layer to West Ham’s challenge.
Internal target raises the bar
According to O Dia, Fluminense are now working with a minimum expectation of €20m (£17.1m) for Martinelli.
That figure is not formal asking price yet. Still, it reflects the internal threshold required to open talks for one of their key players.
The same report explains that Fluminense have set a target of over R$218m in player sales for 2026. Converted, that represents roughly €40m (£34.2m). As a result, any major departure must significantly contribute to that total.
Martinelli is currently the most valuable asset in that plan. He has over 300 appearances for the club and remains a central figure in midfield. Therefore, the board are under no pressure to compromise.
Gap remains clear for West Ham
For West Ham, the numbers now align in a simple way.Their previous offer: €12m (£10.2m).Fluminense’s internal expectation: €20m (£17.1m).That leaves a gap of €8m (£6.9m) before negotiations would even begin.
Importantly, this sits below the €30m (£25.6m) release clause agreed in the recent renewal. That suggests Fluminense still have room to push the price higher, especially if the player gains further exposure with Brazil.
Adding to that, Matheus Martinelli has expressed his desire to play in Europe at some stage. However, he wants the move to suit both his career and the club.
So for West Ham, interest alone will not be enough. The financial gap remains significant, and the player’s situation continues to strengthen.
If the Hammers want to test Fluminense’s resolve again, they will need to move closer to that €20m (£17.1m) mark – and possibly beyond it.
🇧🇷 Gonzalo Plata | Nightclubs before matches, sneaking women into hotels
⚠️ West Ham target sounds chaos
➡️ Bad boy causing controversy
✅ …sign him immediately ‼️https://t.co/jnZ00S2tRN #whufc #coyi
— Sport Witness (@Sport_Witness) March 27, 2026