Manuel Pellegrini will take £10million hit to transfer budget if West Ham can’t find buyer for Edimilson Fernandes this summer

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Early on in his West Ham United career Edimilson Fernandes looked every inch a future star.

The versatile Swiss international joined the Hammers for £5million back in 2016.

And the boy with the Brazilian-sounding name impressed with some quality performances as he racked up nearly 50 appearances.

Performances against Chelsea in the League Cup – where he scored – and Southampton in the league last season where he was instrumental in leading the team to a 3-0 victory are two of the standout displays.

Fans still bemused by Fernandes exit

It was a shock to many when Fernandes was allowed to leave the club following Manuel Pellegrini’s arrival last summer.

Particularly after Cheikhou Kouyate was sold.

Even more peculiar was West Ham’s decision to loan the 22-year-old to Fiorentina in exchange for ageing journeyman and former Aston Villa flop Carlos Sanchez who arrived in his stead.

Sanchez was ruled out for the season with a serious knee injury early on while Fernandes has played 27 games for the midtable Italian side, scoring twice.

Fiorentina had the option to buy Fernandes for £10million this summer.

Hammers under pressure over £10million rated star’s future

But according to a new report from French outlet Le10sport La Violaare reluctant to complete a deal with Lyon also linked.

If Pellegrini does not see a future for Fernandes at West Ham then it puts the club under serious pressure.

Should the Hammers fail to find a buyer they risk losing Fernandes on a free transfer the following summer when his contract expires.

That would represent terrible business by West Ham for a number of factors.

The initial £5million outlay when Fernandes was a teenager. The fact the player is still only 22 and has bags of potential. Fernandes’s athleticism and versatility should also make him a very saleable asset.

Bad for the budget

Another pinch point is that recent reports have claimed Pellegrini will only be given £25 million to spend in the summer and must raise additional funds through player sales.

So the manager faces losing an additional £10million from his already paltry budget.

It may even be in West Ham’s interests to offer Fernandes a new deal. Adding another year to Fernandes’s contract will strengthen West Ham’s stance when bargaining with potential buyers.

It is a tactic Chelsea, Arsenal and Spurs have used to their advantage in the past. Getting decent fees for young players who are not in the manager’s plans.