Matheus Martinelli never appeared particularly keen on the idea of moving to the Premier League with West Ham United anyway.

So as the reports filter through suggesting that a new contract at Brazilian giants Fluminense is about to be signed, this will only increase the suspicion that the Hammers were barking up the wrong tree.

Having let Andy Irving, Guido Rodriguez and James Ward-Prowse leave without a replacement – although Mohamadou Kante made his first start in the FA Cup against Burton Albion – West Ham United are expected to sign at least one new midfielder in the summer.

How big of a blow is Freddie Potts’ suspension?!

Anyone else think it was a harsh red?! 👀

Takeing the pitch conditions into consideration I believe a yellow card would have surfaced along with a verbal warning. There were a number of tackles made where both sets of players were loosing their footings because of the amount of rain water just under the grass surface. As Jo Cole said in his pre match talk, The pitch ain’t no Premier billiard table.

It’s not a nightmare scenario, far from it. My concern is that we may have to push Fernandes forward to replace Pablo. That leaves us with only Soucek, Magassa and Kante for the two defensive midfield spots

Matheus Martinelli, though, is going nowhere fast.

Literally, that is. Metaphorically, the Fluminense ace appears to have a one-way ticket to stardom back home in South America. With Newcastle captain Bruno Guimaraes picking up an injury, there are suggestions that Martinelli will be part of Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil squad for the March internationals.

A Selecao call-up, and a potential World Cup spot, will only strengthen Martinelli’s resolve. You can achieve your ambitions, he will argue, while staying well away from the European game.

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Matheus Martinelli to sign new deal at Fluminense amid West Ham United interest

According to Globo Esporte, Martinelli is set to sign a new contract until December 2030. His current deal runs until 2027. ‘The club are finalising the last details’, Globo Esporte write.

The publication also reiterate that West Ham saw a £10.5 million bid rejected by Fluminense during the January transfer window. The absence of midfield signings, if those reports are correct, was not for a lack of trying.

Though even if Fluminense had accepted such an offer – they reportedly value Martinelli closer to £17 million – the 24-year-old would have been in no rush to accept.

“I’m very happy here. I have no words to describe my feelings for the club, a club that has done so much for me. If I could, I would renew until 2050,” Martinelli told Itatiaia recently. 2030 will have to do.

“It’s natural for [transfer rumours] to come up outside, but I leave it in the hands of my agents, the board, whatever is good for the club, good for me…

“I’m not in a hurry about [leaving]. I have a clear head, I’m very happy. I want to play many more games here at the Maracana, with a packed Maracana, win titles. That makes me very happy, every time I step onto the field I try to be like a kid from Xerem.”

No Potts, no Pablo – but Todibo is back!

What changes would YOU make to this potential XI v Bournemouth? 🤔

I’d be tempted to keep the Mavro – Disasi partnership going. The big question is who starts behind the striker. Nuno could go with Castellanos and Wilson together, as I think Fernandes is more effective deeper

Freddie Potts suspension could force a Soungoutou Magassa recall

Globo Esporte add that Fluminense would only consider letting Martinelli go if they were to receive an ‘irresistible offer’, though that would not solve the much trickier issue of luring the player himself away from his beloved employers.

Alongside West Ham, Olympiakos, Besiktas and a number of Saudi Arabian clubs saw offers fall short.

Heading into Saturday’s late kick-off at home to Bournemouth, West Ham will be without the suspended Freddie Potts.

This, coupled with the news that Pablo Felipe could miss six weeks of action, means Nuno has only Tomas Soucek, Soungoutou Magassa and young Mohamadou Kante to pick from, presuming Mateus Fernandes is pushed forward into the number ten spot.

Of course, Nuno also has the option of playing Fernandes deeper and pairing Callum Wilson with Taty Castellanos. The January signing from Lazio, scorer of two goals so far, did show in Italy that he is capable operating as a hard-pressing link-man in attacking midfield.