Credit: Imago

Richie Mills

Fri 13 March 2026 8:40, UK

Mateus Fernandes looks set to leave West Ham United if they get relegated from the Premier League this season.

West Ham forked out £42million to sign the midfielder from Championship side Southampton last summer and so far, he has proven his worth at London Stadium.

The 21-year-old has added extra quality and running power in the centre of the park, something West Ham badly needed at the start of the season.

As he tries to help the Hammers stave off relegation to the English second tier, the Portugal Under-21 international is being linked with a summer transfer.

Whenever a team gets relegated, a whole host of players make a beeline for the exit and it seems that Fernandes will be no different if West Ham don’t survive.

Man United keeping tabs on West Ham’s Mateus Fernandes

Former Estoril loanee Fernandes has played 27 times for West Ham this season, scoring three goals along the way.

While he has proven to be a solid signing for the Hammers, it seems he is coming into his own in 2026 – coinciding with his team’s upturn in form.

But how long will he still be at the east London outfit? According to talkSPORT journalist Alex Crook, Fernandes will seek to leave Nuno Espirito Santo’s team if they are relegated, as he has no interest in returning to the Championship.

He adds that the young midfielder has admirers in the Premier League and Europe, with Manchester United credited with interest in the ex-Sporting CP man.

Fernandes’ contract runs until 2030 so West Ham may want more than their original £42m outlay if they do have to part company with him at the end of the season.

For now, though, Fernandes and his team will be focusing on staying in the Premier League for another season.

West Ham face inescapable £104m problem

West Ham have suffered just two defeats in their last eight league games, with Nuno’s side winning four matches in that stretch.

This is a far cry from when they looked down and out following their 2-1 loss to lowly rivals Nottingham Forest in early January.

Back then, they were seven points behind the Tricky Trees and safety and now they are level on goal difference with the City Ground outfit.

Moreover, they are within a point of 16th-placed Tottenham and are within a victory of Leeds United in 15th. Amid all this positivity, there is a big, dark cloud on the horizon.

In late February, West Ham admitted they will have to sell players even if they stay up after posting losses of £104m for the 2024-25 financial year.

That means the likes of Fernandes, winger Crysencio Summerville, and captain Jarrod Bowen may have to be sold in the summer.

So even if they survive, this may be a pyrrhic victory for West Ham as they could be sitting ducks for relegation next term. For now, though, they cannot think like that.

After all, getting relegated will be even worse for their finances.