Liverpool have reportedly already held talks with the representatives of West Ham midfielder Mateus Fernandes.
Yes, that’s right — not interest, not scouting — actual transfer talks, according to a report in Caught Offside.
For a player who is contracted to West Ham United and only arrived recently, I would certainly hope the player’s agents are not talking to other clubs.
According to the claims, Liverpool have already spoken to Gestifute — the agency representing Fernandes. The story has yet to be confirmed and Claret & Hugh will check with our sources, but it comes off the back of several players being linked with a move to Anfield.
Fernandes is believed to be a serious transfer target for Liverpool
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The Mendes connection isn’t nothing
Gestifute, for those who don’t know, means Jorge Mendes — and that always adds a layer.
There are already links there with Nuno Espírito Santo and Pablo Felipe, so it’s not like this is a completely cold line of communication.
That doesn’t mean anything is advanced, but Mendes does have a reputation for moving players around, and that would appear to be the case here.
What does this mean for West Ham?
Liverpool have had a bit of a stinker themselves this season and Arne Slot is on the cusp of missing out on Champions League football.
That usually leads to a busy summer, and Fernandes — who’s been one of the few positives in a struggling West Ham side — is obviously going to attract attention.
With Dominik Szoboszlai the only Liverpool midfielder to really come out of this season with much credit, a rebuild in that area wouldn’t be a surprise.
And if Liverpool are already making those calls now, it’s definitely one to keep an eye on.