West Ham are preparing to get more aggressive in their attempts to sign Matheus Martinelli, according to reports coming out of Brazil.
The Fluminense midfielder was the subject of a £10.2m bid from the Hammers in the winter window, which was well short of the club’s valuation of the player and was swiftly rejected.
With no time to negotiate before the transfer window closed, a deal was unable to materialise and, since then the 24-year-old has signed a fresh contract until 2030, with includes a £25.6m release clause.
But that doesn’t appear to have put the Hammers off from returning for the midfielder in the summer, and it’s claimed the club are intending to become more aggressive in their attempts to bring him to the Premier League.
The defensive midfielder has made 315 appearances for Fluminense, scoring 15 goals and providing 19 assists.
West Ham’s motivations behind Martinelli transfer
According to RTI Esporte, Martinelli is now a priority target for West Ham, but Fluminense will not entertain discussions over his signature unless an offer of at least £17.1m is made from the off.
It’s claimed West Ham don’t just view Martinelli as a hot-prospect at Premier League level but also one they could make a tidy profit on in future, which may also lead to his current club pushing for a sell-on clause in any future transfer.
But any deal rests solely on whether West Ham can remain in the Premier League. With five games of the season left to play, the Hammers’ immediate future is still to be decided and the outcome will decide what direction go in with their summer transfer strategy.
Meanwhile, it’s believed that Martinelli does want a move to Europe but will not agree to anything unless it’s the right step for his own development.
It’s unlikely he would be interested in joining a club battling against relegation but if survival can be secured and certain assurances can be made, he could be tempted to make east London the place he continues his career.
West Ham’s finances may be an issue
One big stumbling block for West Ham is the gap between the original bid they made for Martinelli and what Fluminense are expecting for his signature.
Recent accounts show that the Hammers are likely going to need to sell before they buy again this summer, with a number of key players expected to be sold regardless of what league they’re in.
That comes after the club posted recorded losses of over £104m in the last financial year, caused by a lower league finish, no European football, fewer games on TV and smaller profits made by player sales.
Indeed, those results mean relegation to the Championship could prove disastrous for the club in the short to medium term, but even if survival is achieved, those losses will need to be plugged.
That means signing Martinelli, especially given the risks involved around buying a player with no experience in Europe, poses additional issues.
Still, Brazilian reports insist West Ham will continue to pursue his signature and Fluminense are bracing themselves for another bid.
