West Ham can laugh to the bank after Southampton transfer decision | OneFootball

The Hammers are set to make a healthy profit on one of their star players.

West Ham only have themselves to blame after their relegation to the Championship was sealed on Sunday afternoon, but there is one decision the club got right last summer.

The Hammers are returning to the second tier for the first time in 14 years, despite tasting European glory in 2023 and continually ranking among the higher spenders in the Premier League with poor recruitment and managerial appointments key to their downfall.

As a result of their demotion, the East London outfit is expected to lose several big-name players who are worthy of playing top-flight football.

Indeed, one man has been heavily linked with some of European football's leading names, and West Ham are set for a major cash windfall when he departs.

Mateus Fernandes expected to leave West Ham for big money

The Hammers have wasted some significant money over the years, whether it be the £40 million on Max Kilman or the £35 million on Jean-Clair Todibo, but the £38 million plus add-ons spent on Mateus Fernandes must be regarded as an absolute steal as a stunning profit looms.

Fernandes' arrival did not generate sizeable hype considering he had just suffered relegation with Southampton, but he was one of the few players who could hold his head high despite the Saints' demise.

Over the course of the campaign, the central-midfielder enhanced his reputation with his consistently high level of performances and admirable underlying numbers.

The 21-year-old was among the top players in his position for a range of defensive statistics, ranking in the top 10 per cent for tackles, recoveries and possession won in the final third, according to Fotmob.

Furthermore, some of his possession and passing stats caught the eye as he ranked in the top seven per cent of central-midfielders for successful dribbles, duels won and accurate long balls.

Manchester United have enquired about signing the Portuguese, while Arsenal and PSG are monitoring his situation, according to the Daily Mail.

The publication reports that West Ham values him at £80million, which would mean the East London club would make around double what they paid.

We're now set to see one of the summer's leading sagas play out as both domestic and continental giants seek to make their plays for the precociously-talented midfielder, who will inevitably net his side a handsome windfall when he does depart at some stage in the window.

How Fernandes sale can spark Hammers rebuild

While Irons supporters will be gutted at the prospect of losing players like Jarrod Bowen and Fernandes, they do hold significant value that could aid the club in the long run.

West Ham are obviously going to need a rebuild this summer, and with several big names expected to depart, they can utilise any funds to build a new side.

Of course, they are going to have to reduce their spending on individuals and take a fresh approach to the one that got them into this mess in the first place.

The East Londoners will enter the new campaign as favourties for Championship promotion, and they must channel their expectations and reputation to bring in the best possible talent.

Replacing Fernandes would be the first task facing the Hammers, and if Bowen or Crysencio Summerville leave, then an injection of pace on the wings is a must.

Moreover, the Irons were appalling defensively all season long, and they must add some brawn to replace Axel Disasi, who will return to Chelsea, while Todibo's Hammers career is surely over.

West Ham have so much work to do this summer to rebuild what has been an underperforming squad, but the sale of Fernandes can allow them to do just that and free up the funds for a much-needed revamp.