Liverpool have been in talks with the representatives of West Ham midfielder Mateus Fernandes over a potential summer move to Anfield.
As Claret & Hugh covered last night, Arne Slot’s side — who’ve had a proper shocker of a season after winning the title — are desperate to sort out their underperforming midfield. Fernandes has stood out for West Ham even in a struggling team since arriving from Southampton, and now Liverpool fancy him.
Jorge Mendes is involved, so let’s be honest, players getting touted around isn’t exactly a shock. But the bit that’s properly wound me up is this rumoured £55 million fee. Are they having a laugh?
Why £55m for Mateus Fernandes is an insult to West Ham
We shelled out nearly £40m to bring the Portuguese midfielder in from Southampton, and there’s a sell-on clause in there too.
At £55m we wouldn’t be seeing much profit at all after everyone takes their cut.
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The reality is Liverpool seem to think they can just rock up and nick arguably our best player on the cheap while we’re fighting our own battles this season. It’s beyond ridiculous.
Nuno Espirito Santo celebrates Fernandes goal
Fernandes has thrived at West Ham as is now wanted on the cheap by Liverpool
The comparison that makes no sense
Look at Adam Wharton at Crystal Palace.
He’s been valued at over £80m by some, and he’s an elite passer, fair enough, but he still hasn’t scored a single Premier League goal in nearly three years.
Fernandes brings the full package — goals, assists, work rate, the lot — and he’s shown it week in, week out even when West Ham haven’t been at it.
£55m is a crazy low figure for what he’s done and what he could still become.
Player Club Apps (Starts) Minutes Goals Assists Shots
Mateus Fernandes West Ham 29 (28) ~2,400 3 3 22
Adam Wharton Crystal Palace 27 (26) ~2,170 0 5 26
West Ham must not get this wrong
If Liverpool want him, they’re going to have to cough up proper money, not try and pull a fast one. That said, I’m fast coming to the conclusion that the hammers are set to lose Fernandes even if we do dodge relegation.
The club are skint, Jorge Mendes is already offering him around and let’s face it, the 21 year old is so good that West Ham under the current ownership can’t match his talent or ambition. But . . . it’s imperative any transfer fee reflects that fact.