Credit: Imago

Harri Burton

Tue 2 June 2026 9:00, UK

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West Ham United are preparing for a drop down to the Championship, and those plans are unlikely to revolve around Mateus Fernandes.

The 21-year-old midfielder has appeared on nearly every club’s radar following the Hammers’ demise in the Premier League, and it is really no surprise given his performances across the last 12 months.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s side are expected to raise £100million in sales this summer, which could include the sales of Jarrod Bowen, Crysencio Summerville and Taty Castellanos, to name just a few.

The club cannot be expected to embark on a brand-new campaign without a roster of new players, however, so West Ham’s transfer chiefs are likely already on the hunt for some bargains across Europe.

Mateus Fernandes sale could fund deal for Ligue 2 star

Former transfer chief Tim Steidten used to love a trip to South America, but with the German now gone, the Hammers could be looking much closer to home for some upcoming deals.

And according to the Daily Mail (1 June), the Hammers are eyeing up a move for Troyes star Martin Adeline, just 22 years of age, who helped his side to promotion in Ligue 2 this season.

Given that the French youth star has never played outside of the country, he could be an absolute bargain, which could be funded by Fernandes’ potentially £80million exit in the coming weeks.

Nuno absolutely needs someone who can pull the strings in the centre of midfield if he is going to lead West Ham back to the Premier League at the first time of asking.

While Adeline appears a little more attacking than his potential predecessor, it should be easy enough to mould him into a box-to-box star at the London Stadium, given his obvious talents in Ligue 2.

Who else could be sacrificed to fund deals this summer?

It has become pretty clear that Nuno requires a fresh start if he is to be successful next season, and that might even mean an unlikely return for Edson Alvarez at the end of his loan spell.

Jean-Clair Todibo, Max Kilman and Alphonse Areola are all wanted out by the supporters, while Everton are eyeing a deal for Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who could be available for just £10million.

It’s going to be a tough summer window at the London Stadium, but if the transfer chiefs are smart with their moves, they should create a pretty strong squad for the 2026-27 Championship season.

Adeline is clearly talented at both ends of the pitch, notching 11 goals and 11 assists in all competitions, and it seems worth taking a punt on him before other European clubs snap him up.