West Ham United appear to be preparing for the departure of Mateus Fernandes. The Hammers have been linked with the French midfielder Martin Adeline.
The Daily Mail has reported that "West Ham are showing interest in young Troyes playmaker Martin Adeline."
Fernandes was one of West Ham's best players in the season just gone. However, he will not want to drop down to the Championship, especially as the likes of Arsenal, Manchester United, and Paris Saint-Germain are interested in him.
West Ham will not let Fernandes go cheap. Reportedly, they have put an £80 million price tag on him. This could be a transfer saga that goes on throughout the window. The Hammers signed him from relegated Southampton late last summer, with the player having already played three times in the Championship.
It could be better for the Hammers to sell Fernandes early, so that they have the funds to build their team for the Championship. It would also not be ideal to have players around who do not want to be at the club.
Who is Martin Adeline?
Adeline played soccer for multiple youth sides, including PSG, before coming through the ranks at Stade de Reims. He played 14 times in Ligue 1 for Reims, whilst also being sent on loan to Rodez and Annecy to gain experience in Ligue 2.
The midfielder then joined Troyes permanently, and last season really made a name for himself. Adeline scored 10 goals with 11 assists in 32 Ligue 2 games to help the team achieve promotion from Ligue 2.
After proving himself in the second tier of French soccer, he would want to play top-tier soccer. Therefore, a transfer to West Ham in the Championship might not be so appealing.
Adeline has also been linked with Ligue 1 sides such as FC Lorient and RC Lens. A transfer to Lens would be tempting as they finished second last season to PSG and qualified for the Champions League. Lorient were mid-table.
There has also been interest in Adeline from the Bundesliga. FC Koln and Hamburger SV, who both finished in the lower half of German soccer's top flight, have been linked with the player.
Adeline is only 22 and has represented France up to the Under-20 level. He is predominantly an attacking midfielder but can also play in a more central role. He needs to find a club where he can further his development, and West Ham faces an uphill task to sign him when up against top-tier clubs from across Europe.
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