West Ham slap wild asking price on Arsenal and Man Utd target Mateus Fernandes

There is plenty of interest in West Ham midfielder Mateus Fernandes this summer and the Hammers are asking for a lot of money for him.

Still just 21 years old, the Portugal international signed from Southampton last summer in a deal reported to be worth ‘more than £40m.’

Fernandes came through the youth ranks at Sporting before a season with the Saints and his switch to east London.

He is expected to make another move this summer, with the likes of Manchester United, Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain all interested in his signature.

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With the level of club interested in the Portuguese star, it is no surprise West Ham are expecting big money and they have set an ambitious asking price.

The Daily Mail report that the Hammers are seeking £80m for one of their most valuable assets, which might well put off suitors who could turn to cheaper options.

West Ham’s bargaining position will be hugely affected by what happens on the final day of the Premier League season and whether they avoid the drop or not.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s side are looking very likely to be relegated but hope is not entirely lost with one game to play.

The Hammers host Leeds United and must win to have any chance of surviving, but they also need Tottenham to lose at home to Everton.

Things don’t look great for West Ham but given Spurs haven’t won a home Premier League game since December 6, an unlikely reprieve is not out of the question.

If West Ham do go down then Fernandes will not be the only player with suitors this summer.

Captain Jarrod Bowen will be wanted by a string of Premier League clubs, with the likes of Manchester City, Liverpool, Manchester United, Spurs, Crystal Palace and Chelsea all credited with interest in the England international.

Bowen is under contract until 2030 and turns 30 later this year, so interested parties could be put off by the significant price West Ham would ask for his signature.

The Guardian report that West Ham would need to bring in at least £100m in player sales if they are relegated, but would be reluctant to lose their captain and talisman.

Bowen has issued a rallying cry to his teammates and the West Ham fans ahead of a mammoth day in the Premier League.

‘There’s nothing else,’ he said. ‘There’s no waiting, there’s no hiding. It’s that. It’s do-or-die on the weekend and hopefully the results go our way.

‘It might not be enough, but we can never have a “what if?” or a regret and say, “what if we’ve done this, what if we’ve done that?”. We have to go and just leave it all out there on Sunday.’

المصدر: Metro UK