Jamie Carragher feels West Ham United have two genuine Champions League-quality players in their ranks.
Champions League-quality players who will undoubtedly receive plenty of offers to escape the gaping jaws of the Championship over the coming weeks and months.
Jarrod Bowen is facing a summer of soul searching following Sunday’s relegation. The Hammers skipper raised spirits ever-so-slightly when indicating, in the immediate aftermath of Tottenham’s fateful 1-0 victory over Everton, that his departure is far from written in stone.
The same, unfortunately, cannot be said of Mateus Fernandes.
Relegation confirmed – where do West Ham go from here?
West Ham United’s much-admired Portugal international has been linked with Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal. Manchester United made an approach for Fernandes recently too, with speculation over a move to Old Trafford ramping up.
Mateus Fernandes expected to leave West Ham as Manchester United emerge as favourites
Champions League football will return to the red side of Manchester in 2026/27.
And Jamie Carragher, on co-commentary duty during Sunday’s rather moot 3-0 victory over Leeds, feels it is only a matter of time before Fernandes is strutting his stuff on Europe’s grandest stage.
“Ever since he’s come to West Ham, he’s looked a class apart,” the Liverpool legend told Sky Sports of Fernandes. “There’s a good chance he moves on.
“Jarrod Bowen could play for a Champions League club. Mateus Fernandes probably will next season.”
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Hammers News have been told that West Ham value Fernandes at double the £40 million fee they paid Southampton in the summer of 2025.
But relegation, and a well-publicised monetary black hole, will only embolden Man United, PSG, Arsenal and co in their pursuit of a cut-price deal for one of the continent’s most exciting young midfield talents.
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