Matheus Martinelli gives loud and clear West Ham transfer answer after bid lodged
West Ham target Matheus Martinelli has responded to speculation linking him with a move away from Fluminense.
It was reported last week that West Ham were among the clubs to table a bid for Martinelli in the winter transfer window.
However, Brazilian giants Fluminense opted to reject offers of around £10.4 million.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side are now just three points from safety in the Premier League, after West Ham beat Burnley 2-0 over the weekend.
Despite West Ham losing Lucas Paqueta in January, the Hammers were not in too much of a rush to bring in a midfielder.
Following the speculation, Martinelli has now responded to the growing speculation over his future.
West Ham-linked Matheus Martinelli speaks out on his future
The 24-year-old has made 300 appearances for Fluminense after coming through the club’s academy system.
Scoring 15 times and registering 18 assists from the base of midfield, Martinelli has become a key cog for one of Brazil’s biggest clubs.
Speaking after his side’s 1-0 victory against Marica at the Maracana over the weekend, the midfielder insisted that he isn’t quite ready for a move away just yet, despite the links to some big European sides.
“I’m very happy here,” he is quoted as saying by Antenados. “I have no words to describe my feelings for the club, a club that has done a lot for me.
“If I could, I would renew it until 2050. It’s natural to see things out there, but I leave it in the hands of my businessmen, the board, what’s good for the club, good for me.”
Fluminense have sold multiple talents to the Premier League in recent years, with both Andre and Jhon Arias joining Wolves in the last 18 months. Martinelli, though, remains certain on his future.
“I’m not in a hurry about it,” he added. “I have a calm head, I’m very happy.”
“I want to play many games here still at Maracana, with Maracana full, winning titles, it makes me very happy, every time I enter the field I try to be a Xerem kid.”
Referring to the local area and club’s renowned youth academy, Martinelli is keen to leave his legacy at Fluminense, who won the Copa Libertadores as recently as 2023.
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West Ham have to continue positive run of form despite recruitment setback
West Ham’s midfield ranks are considerably thinner than at the start of January, with Paqueta leaving, alongside the out-of-favour James Ward-Prowse.
The Hammers’ January recruitment was centred around the forward departments, with Taty Castellanos, Pablo and Adama Traore all added to Nuno’s squad.
Martinelli would have added another body in the middle; however, the last thing needed in a relegation battle is a player who isn’t keen on the move in the first place.
The Hammers sit 18th in the standings and have to keep piling the pressure on Nottingham Forest ahead of them, despite the Reds having a favourable fixture against Wolves this week, while West Ham welcome Manchester United.
With three wins in their last four, confidence is flowing at the London Stadium, and they have to keep up their good form and continue to breathe down the neck of those ahead of them.