It is remarkable just how quickly the sentiment around a football club can change, and West Ham United are the perfect example.

Just a week ago, it felt like the Hammers’ world was caving in, as two Premier League defeats in a row and a lack of transfer activity allowed talk of relegation to emerge.

However, a thumping win away to Nottingham Forest and some brilliant deals late in the window have given fans real cause for optimism.

One of Graham Potter’s most exciting new additions is Mateus Fernandes, although even with his lofty price tag, there is a player already in the squad who’s worth millions more.

Fernandes and West Ham's best signings

There are still most certainly holes in the squad, and players who probably should have been moved on, but all in all, West Ham ended up having a pretty good summer transfer window.

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It may have started in a frustratingly slow fashion, but the Hammers have made several exciting and intriguing additions to the squad.

For example, picking up the Premier League-proven and versatile Kyle Walker-Peters is excellent business, and despite only making three appearances thus far, he has already picked up an assist.

Likewise, while there were plenty of people unhappy or worried about the decision to sign the injury-prone Callum Wilson on a one-year deal, his goal against Forest proved he still has the ability to be a useful option this year.

Yet, the three most exciting signings are undoubtedly El Hadji Malick Diouf, who already has two assists to his name, the “elegant” Soungoutou Magassa, as dubbed by talent scout Jacek Kulig, and Fernandes, who made his first start on Sunday.

The Olhão-born star cost the club around £40m, and while that is undoubtedly a lot of money for a 21-year-old, he managed to rack up nine goal involvements for a terrible Southampton side last season.

Moreover, while it will likely take time for him to truly settle into the side, he will be afforded it thanks to some of the other offensive stars in the squad, including one who is worth even more than him.

The West Ham star worth millions more than Fernandes

While they didn’t necessarily show it in their first three games of the season, West Ham have a handful of really quite talented players in their squad now.

Yet, when it comes to their most important player – the one who gets fans on their feet, puts fear in the hearts of opposition defenders, and can win games by himself – there is a name that stands out above the rest: Jarrod Bowen.

Since joining the Hammers in January 2020, under former manager David Moyes, the Englishman has been a leading light for the club, and his valuation reflects this.

For example, the CIES Football Observatory now value him at up to €55m, which converts to about £48m, or around £8m more than Fernandes cost.

However, you could easily argue that the former Hull City star should be worth even more, as, over the years, he has become a lean, mean, output machine for the Irons.

So far, the 28-year-old has scored 75 goals and provided 52 assists for the East Londoners in 242 appearances, totalling 19251 minutes.

Appearances

242

Minutes

19251′

Goals

75

Assists

52

Goal Involvements per Match

0.52

Minutes per Goal Involvement

151.58′

Points per Game

1.47

In other words, the attacking dynamo has averaged a goal involvement every 1.90 games, or every 151.58 minutes.

Those sorts of numbers would be seriously impressive in a team challenging at the very top of the table, but they’re made all the more remarkable considering how much West Ham have struggled over the years.

Finally, on top of putting the ball in the back of the net, the Leominster-born monster has become a talismanic figure for the club, as, unlike some of his prior teammates, he has remained loyal and, as former professional turned pundit Michael Brown puts it, been a “real leader.”

Ultimately, it’s been a good summer of business for West Ham this year, but their most crucial player remains Bowen.