Mateus Fernandes guaranteed to become the most expensive Championship player ever this summer | OneFootball

Manchester United target and West Ham United midfielder Mateus Fernandes is set to become the most expensive Championship player in history this summer, as elite clubs prepare to battle for his signature.

Following the Hammers’ relegation from the Premier League, the 21-year-old is expected to leave the London Stadium, with Old Trafford currently his most likely destination.

The current financial benchmark for a player leaving a Championship club is Romeo Lavia’s £53 million fee (plus £5 million in add-ons) when he moved from Southampton to Chelsea.

That figure is set to be surpassed, as West Ham have placed an £85 million price tag on Fernandes. With Manchester United leading the race under Michael Carrick, any agreement is expected to comfortably eclipse Lavia’s previous record.

West Ham are taking a firm stance in negotiations due to complex financial obligations. Having signed Fernandes from Southampton last summer for an initial £38 million, the Hammers owe a 15% sell-on clause to the Saints.

To offset this deduction, the club must extract maximum value from potential buyers. Fernandes has justified his premium valuation despite anchoring an underwhelming West Ham side.

The versatile midfielder led the squad in accurate passes per 90 minutes and registered 368 total defensive contributions, ranking among the top ten most industrious midfielders in the Premier League.

While Arsenal, Real Madrid, and Paris Saint-Germain are interested in Fernandes, Manchester United remain at the front of the queue for his signature.