Portuguese central midfielder Mateus Fernandes, 21, will seek to leave Nuno Espirito Santo’s team if West Ham United are relegated, as he has no interest in returning to the Championship. Fernandes' contract runs until 2030 and West Ham may want more than their original £42m outlay if they have to sell him at the end of the season. In his first season since joining in August 2025, the Portugal U21 international has scored 3 goals and provided 3 assists in 27 Premier League appearances. Fernandes has admirers in the Premier League and Europe, with Manchester United and Manchester City among the clubs recently linked. In March 2026, West Ham's asking price was reported to be between €65 million and €75 million, while a relegation release clause was widely reported in January 2026 to be set at approximately €32 million.