Sources: West Ham have clear Mateus Fernandes transfer plan
West Ham have no intention of sanctioning the sale of Mateus Fernandes any time soon, sources have told Football Insider.
Manchester City have recently been linked with a move for the midfielder, but the Irons are adamant that there is no chance of him being allowed to move before the end of the winter window.
Fernandes has emerged as a key player for West Ham in their fight against relegation, and sources say that the East Londoners would be looking to make a significant profit on the 21-year-old if they ever sold him in the future.
The youngster cost West Ham £42million when they signed him from Southampton in the summer, and he is seen as a key part of Nuno Espirito Santo’s team, both now and for future seasons.
Mateus Fernandes key to West Ham survival hopes
Lucas Paqueta is on the verge of leaving West Ham in the coming days, with a deal already agreed for him to move and join Flamengo.
The Brazilian has been out of action for Nuno’s side since the early stages of January, and that has seen Fernandes rise to further prominence in the centre of midfield.
The starlet has missed just 11 minutes of Premier League football since before Christmas, and has now started in 20 of his team’s 23 league games so far this term.
Fernandes has even chipped in with crucial moments in front of goal in recent weeks, as he assisted Crysencio Summerville’s goal in the win at Tottenham, before netting a screamer in the victory over Sunderland last time out.
The Portuguese has started in every single Premier League game since Nuno was appointed at the end of September, and it is clear that the boss sees his countryman as an integral part of his plans moving forward.
Fernandes penned a five-year deal at the London Stadium when he made the switch from Southampton last summer, and West Ham are hoping to keep hold of him for the vast majority of that period.
West Ham’s relegation rivals push for eye-catching deal
Former Everton and Aston Villa chief executive Keith Wyness told Football Insider on Wednesday that he backs Nottingham Forest to get a deal done for Jean-Philippe Mateta in the final stages of the window.
Forest have tabled an offer of £35m for the Crystal Palace star, and are prepared to offer him a significant pay rise from the wages that he is on at Selhurst Park.
Mateta expressed his desire to leave the South London outfit last week, and has since attracted interest from the likes of Aston Villa and Juventus.
However, Forest have since pushed themselves forward as a likely candidate to seal his signing in recent days, in what would undoubtedly be an unwelcome transfer for West Ham.
The Irons are five points behind the East Midlands outfit in the race for survival, and the last thing that they will want is to see their rivals strengthen with a big-money addition up front.