West Ham: Premier League vultures to circle as Jamie Carragher already expects Mateus Fernandes exit
Jamie Carragher expects Mateus Fernandes to be one of the players to leave West Ham United now that Premier League relegation is confirmed.
West Ham will play in the second tier of English football next term for the first time in 14 years.
The Hammers beat Leeds United 3-0 on Sunday afternoon, but Tottenham also saw off Everton to stay up at their London rivals’ expense.
Fernandes played a full part for West Ham against Leeds, registering an assist in the second half, and has impressed throughout the season.
But it may be one season and out for the Portugal international as Premier League clubs circle like vultures for West Ham’s best players.
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Mateus Fernandes already on radar of multiple clubs
Fernandes featured in 36 of West Ham’s 38 Premier League matches and was one of the better performers.
However, it cannot be ignored that the 21-year-old has now suffered relegation in back-to-back seasons, having gone down with Southampton last term.
| Mateus Fernandes | 2025-26 |
| Pass accuracy | 88% |
| Accurate long balls | 61% |
| Goals/ assists | 3/4 |
| Duels won | 55% |
| Sofascore rating | 7.20 |
That did not put West Ham off spending big on Fernandes, and it is likely they will make a profit on that £38million upfront fee.
Fernandes has been linked to Arsenal, Manchester United and others already. There will likely be further clubs abroad keeping tabs on his situation, too.
And discussing the midfielder while covering West Ham’s clash with Leeds for Sky Sports, Carragher said he can see him moving on.
“Ever since he’s come to West Ham he’s looked a class apart,” Carragher said. “Whatever happens to West Ham today, there’s a good chance he moves on.”
As we now know, West Ham are down. But as Carragher says, it is likely Fernandes would not have stuck around regardless.
Fernandes not the only player heading for West Ham exit
Fernandes will unlikely represent West Ham again – and nor will plenty of others who featured on Sunday afternoon.
Skipper Jarrod Bowen and winger Crysencio Summerville are two others that are destined to move on, likely staying in the Premier League.
Some optimistic West Ham fans will hope Bowen stays due to his connection to the East London club, but realism is required.
Bowen is too good for the Championship, plus West Ham simply cannot afford to keep each of their high earners around.
The only real question is just how much the Irons can land for each of these players as funds are needed now more than ever.