West Ham United: Mateus Fernandes price tag surely validated after Sandro Tonali bid

West Ham United seem unlikely to hold on to Mateus Fernandes, but they look set for a huge sum of money if he is to leave.

And why wouldn't they be? Despite the slog that last season turned out to be, Fernandes was consistently a level above the rest.

The 21-year-old managed seven goal involvements for the Hammers, including three goals and four assists

Upon their relegation from the Premier League, plenty of interest has formed in the ex-Saints midfielder, with Tottenham, PSG and Real Madrid among the clubs said to be keen.

However, Tottenham also have other midfield targets, having recently made an approach to sign Sandro Tonali.

And given the finances involved in that pursuit, West Ham's stance on Fernandes should be clear as day.

How much is Fernandes really worth?

What he is worth and what West Ham value him at are two different things, but there is a huge consideration to be made after Tottenham's bid for Tonali.

The North Londoners had an £75million bid rejected by Newcastle, for a midfielder that wasn't anywhere near the level of Fernandes last season.

Of course, the Hammers' Championship status will come into play, and with sales needed, it may not be an entirely fair comparison.

However, given the performances from him last season, West Ham should certainly be holding strong on their stance to receive a fee in the same ballpark as that of the bid made for Tonali.

West Ham can't forget crucial detail in Fernandes exit

Receiving a huge fee is one thing, but there are other things that West Ham will need to consider if Fernandes leaves.

The first being a sell-on clause.

The fact that he already has interest from some of the biggest clubs in the world showcases that he is on their radar, and another season in the top flight may aid that.

If so, the Hammers could profit signficantly by including a sell-on clause in any deal that sees him move on from the London Stadium in the coming weeks or months.

West Ham are still picking up the pieces of relegation, and it's vital they start to become proactive, or they will be left behind.