The current financial benchmark for a player leaving a Championship club is Romeo Lavia’s £53 million fee when he moved from Southampton to Chelsea.
That figure is set to be surpassed, as West Ham have placed an £85 million price tag on Fernandes.
Manchester United are leading the race, and any agreement is expected to comfortably eclipse Lavia’s previous record.
West Ham are taking a firm stance in negotiations. Having signed Fernandes from Southampton last summer for an initial £38 million, the Hammers owe a 15% sell-on clause to the Saints.
To offset this deduction, the club must extract maximum value from potential buyers. Fernandes has justified his premium valuation despite anchoring an underwhelming West Ham side.
The versatile midfielder led the squad in accurate passes per 90 minutes and registered 368 total defensive contributions, ranking among the top ten most industrious midfielders in the Premier League.
Arsenal, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain are interested in Fernandes, but United are at the front of the queue. The Red Devils have already made official contact with his representatives.
