Paul Merson on West Ham reportedly demanding £85m for Matheus Fernandes:

Paul Merson on West Ham reportedly demanding £85m for Matheus Fernandes:

"I'm sorry, but football has completely lost its mind if a club that has just been relegated is putting an £85 million price tag on one of its players and expecting everyone to nod along like it's normal.

Don't get me wrong, Matheus Fernandes is a talented player and he's got a bright future ahead of him.

But £85 million? After relegation? Who exactly are they negotiating with here?

Years ago, relegation meant clubs had to sell.

Now we're hearing figures that sound like they're coming from a Champions League winner.

If Manchester United or anyone else pays that kind of money, they're paying for potential, not proven world-class performances.

West Ham seem to be acting as if they're holding the next Rodri or the next Kevin De Bruyne.

The reality is that when a club finishes in a position that sends them down, nobody should be talking like they hold all the cards.

I understand wanting maximum value for player.

But at some point you have to stop playing Football Manager and start living in the real world.

£85 million for a player from a relegated team? For me, that's one of the craziest valuations I've heard in a very long time."