Liverpool just jumped into what’s shaping up to be the summer’s most crowded transfer battle. They’ve joined Tottenham and Manchester United in the hunt for Mateus Fernandes, the West Ham midfielder who somehow looked like a star on a team that fell apart.
The 21-year-old was arguably the best thing about a Hammers side that got relegated to the Championship. Finished runner-up for their Player of the Season award, which is saying something given how ugly that season got. Now everyone wants a piece.
The numbers game is complicated
Liverpool have made contact with Fernandes’s reps, according to reports. Fabrizio Romano is calling it exploratory right now, but the Reds don’t usually send feelers unless they’re serious. West Ham wants around £85 million for the guy they just signed from Southampton last summer for about £38 million. The Saints still hold a 15% sell-on clause, so they’d get a cut if this thing goes through.
Here’s where it gets messy for West Ham. They need to raise money to stay compliant with Premier League and Football League financial rules. They got a recent cash injection from shareholders that helped, but they’re still looking at selling multiple guys. Crysencio Summerville and Jarrod Bowen are both expected out the door after relegation. Fernandes is probably the biggest check they can cash.
Why Liverpool needs a midfielder right now
This isn’t just Liverpool shopping for fun. Curtis Jones’s future is up in the air. The 25-year-old only started 18 league games for the Reds in 2025-26 and has just 12 months left on his deal. He’s open to leaving for more minutes.
Inter Milan already had a bid of around €25 million (about £21.5 million) turned down. Liverpool wants closer to €40 million (around £35.4 million). Nottingham Forest is also sniffing around Jones as a potential replacement for Elliot Anderson, who’s reportedly headed to Manchester City.
So Liverpool could use the Fernandes money from one deal to help with another, or they could just treat this as two separate things. Either way, the midfield is getting a shakeup at Anfield.
Tottenham has been the most aggressive lately, stepping up their pursuit in recent weeks. Manchester United’s interest has been the worst-kept secret in the game. Now Liverpool’s in the mix too, and that changes the dynamic. Fernandes probably isn’t in a rush to decide. He’s got three Premier League clubs and probably a few European ones checking in. His phone’s been ringing all summer. No reason to pick up until the right number shows on the screen.
Leave a Comment