West Ham United’s failure to close out a deal for Bruno Fernandes last summer could have cost the club a potential huge windfall.
West Ham wanted Fernandes last summer when he walked out of Sporting Lisbon after a group of fans attacked players at the club’s training ground.
According to the likes of Sky Sports West Ham made a £20million bid for Fernandes a year ago.
West Ham made £20m bid for star but dragged heels
It came after the Portuguese midfielder was one of nine players to leave the Primeira Liga side following an incident in which supporters allegedly physically attacked some of the club’s stars.
According to Sky Sporting asked West Ham for £25million. But the Hammers dragged their heels.
Two weeks later the player performed a U-turn and agreed a new five-year deal with a huge £88m release clause (Sky Sports).
Fernandes was one of Portugal’s star players as they lifted the inaugural Nations League trophy on Sunday night.
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Nations League star now centre of £70m bidding war
And his performances have reportedly sparked a bidding war between Liverpool, Manchester United and West Ham’s rivals Tottenham Hotspur.
According to reports the 24-year-old looks set to join Liverpool instead this summer.
The Sun reports Liverpool will gazump Spurs with a move worth as much as £70million.
It is proof West Ham must show more conviction to land players when the opportunity arises.
Hammers must show more conviction
Supporters feel the club often start negotiations far too low and never stand a chance of getting their targets as a result.
In this case a £25million “gamble” would have resulted in a huge profit if the Hammers did want to cash in.
Now Fernandes is well out of Manuel Pellegrini’s reach this summer.
Even with a host of player sales £70 million would be the very ceiling of the Chilean’s budget, which stands at around £40million.
West Ham are targeting two strikers, two midfielders and a defender in the remaining two months of the window.
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