Squad Rebuild Continues With Fernandes Sale

Due to the preferences of the various Head-Coaches since David Moyes left the club in May 2024, West Ham United’s squad has been reshaped to suit each of them and with the Hammers set to start the 2026/27 season in the Sky Bet Championship, Nuno Espírito Santo is likely to see a number of “big name” sales this summer. The first of those has already been confirmed as Mateus Fernandes has replicated what Mohammed Kudus did last season by deciding to stay in the Premier League and join Tottenham Hotspur.

Once clubs started registering their interest in Fernandes, the new hierarchy in Stratford were obviously reluctant to sell but following reports of major losses in the last financial year, together with relegation, they soon realised that they had to put any potential offers for the former Southampton midfielder under real consideration.

Manchester United showed their hand before the summer transfer window had even opened but it was then made public that the Irons would only accept offers in excess of £80m.

Despite West Ham’s official website making no mention of the actual fee, Spurs are believed to have paid the Irons an upfront sum of £85m.

Fernandes was signed by former Head-Coach Graham Potter back on 29 August and the deal was completed in time for him to make his debut just two days later in the club’s 3-0 away win at Nottingham Forest.

There is some good news for Espírito Santo however, as there are suggestions that both Tomáš Souček and captain Jarrod Bowen are committing to the cause and will stay in East London, as the club hope to grab a place in the top two of the second tier and bounce back to the top-flight at the first attempt.

One player that will not be with the Irons next season is 21-year-old Rayan Oyebade, as it was confirmed on Friday that the defender moved to Essex and signed a season-long loan deal with Enterprise National League outfit Southend United.

Coincidently, the youngster may make an early appearance for his new side against some of his Development Squad teammates as the East Londoners are set to do battle with the Shrimpers at Roots Hall in a pre-season friendly scheduled for 18 July.