West Ham have paid ‘double the valuation’ to finalise ‘crazy’ Mateus Fernandes deal
West Ham paid double their valuation to sign Mateus Fernandes from Southampton in the final few days of the transfer window.
Southampton rejected an offer for Fernandes from West Ham earlier last month as they looked to secure a big-money deal for the midfielder.
West Ham agreed a deal to sign Fernandes last week, with the transfer worth in excess of £40million following weeks of negotiations.
Southampton signed the 21-year-old for just £15million from Sporting Lisbon last summer.
Fernandes registered four goals and seven assists in 46 appearances during his year-long stint at St Mary’s.
West Ham made Mateus Fernandes transfer ‘gamble’
This article contains exclusive comment from Stefan Borson, a former financial adviser to Man City.
Fernandes made his West Ham debut in their convincing victory over Nottingham Forest on Sunday (31 August).
The Portuguese started in the 3-0 win at the City Ground, with Jarrod Bowen, Lucas Paqueta and Callum Wilson getting on the scoresheet for Graham Potter’s side.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the Fernandes deal, Borson said: “That’s the surprise of these teams trying to leave everything to the last minute.
“I don’t get it. What was the plan on that player? They wanted the player. Did they think Southampton were going to come back to the table at their price? How have they ended up paying effectively double what they bid a month ago? But that’s the reality.
“If you play that game, you gamble and you still want the same player, it doesn’t seem to me that the idea you gamble on having a good start and, therefore, you end up getting the player for that price, I don’t really see that that makes much sense.
“The risk is on those deals and it happened again with Southampton. Southampton sell another player in Dibling and then they don’t have the same need or dependency on selling other players, and so all that happens is the price goes up.
“I don’t know. Maybe the closing of the window just focuses the minds of the executives, and they end up having to pay these prices.
“I just think it’s crazy.”
West Ham midfielder Lewis Orford agrees loan move
In terms of an exit at the London Stadium, Football Insider revealed on Monday (1 September) Lewis Orford has agreed to join Stevenage on loan from West Ham.
The deal is viewed as a huge coup for the League One side, who beat off interest from several other EFL clubs to secure the midfielder’s signature.
The 19-year-old is highly rated at the London Stadium, having made two Premier League appearances under Potter last season.
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