The Sports Buff ⚽️ ⚾️ 🏈

Not since Aaron Ramsdale has a player who has suffered two relegations been in hot demand. West Ham’s midfield maestro Matheus Fernandes is that man to be one of the exceptions to the rule.

The former Sporting Lisbon man, signed for Southampton, impressed whilst on the South Coast. Whereas some players wonder what their futures hold after seeing their side fail to beat the drop, Fernandes was one who could assess his options.

For the 21-year-old, his next option was West Ham, in a deal that would cost the East London side in the region of £40 million.

It’s been widely speculated that The Hammers want £80 million for the talented youngster, but, with them in the second tier for the first time in 14 seasons, it would be difficult for them to command such a price.

It’s not that West Ham are in a position where they don’t have to sell; they do. Alongside paying stadium costs, which was one of their clauses if they got relegated.

The Hammers will need to soften the blow of less TV money due to them being in the Championship and fewer people attending games, due to them being in the second tier.

Manchester United, Arsenal, and even the 15-time Champions League winners Real Madrid have been credited with an interest. As for Los Blancos, they will only go for the Portuguese star if the French international Aurelien Tchouameni is sold.

For both United and The Gunners, they both have legitimate reasons for going for Fernandes. Arsenal will be selling Fabio Viera at least, and as for United, at the time of writing they have all but completed the deal for Atalanta midfielder Ederson. But for The Red Devils to be competitive next term, they will need to bring in some quality reinforcements.

With Fernandes, they will just get that. The 21-year-old is a player who I call Vitiniha 2.0. No, there is nothing wrong with the original, far from it. The former Wolves man is so good that he is reportedly one of the players President Florentino Perez is using to help him win the Real Madrid presidential election.

I make such a comparison simply because, after playing for a team in the lower reaches of the Premier League table, he is still unbelievably talented. With the greatest respect to the former Sporting man, this isn’t his level.

Just like the 26-year-old Vitiniha, the 21-year-old Fernandes is a central midfielder, but unlike the PSG man, Matheus Fernandes is a bit more forward-thinking yet capable of doing the defensive legwork.

As football goes back to a reset in some ways and starts to replicate the games of yesteryear, arguably this is why a central midfielder who can operate effectively in both boxes is so sought after.

It looks like a bid closer to £80 million is what will get this deal done, but I won’t be surprised if West Ham and whoever goes for him agree a lower fee. It is almost certain that Matheus Fernandes will not be a West Ham player next season.

I wrote this article for Striver, with the title Vitinha 2.0. Please check them out.