Southampton will be looking to assemble a squad capable of dominating the Championship next season, but one key player could be on his way out this summer.
After snatching promotion last season in the Championship play-offs, Southampton were always going to have a tough task on their hands to survive in the Premier League.
Things really didn’t go to plan for the Saints, though, and they’ve only narrowly avoided breaking Derby County’s record as the worst team in top flight history.
They’re heading back to the second tier for the 2025/26 campaign, but there’s lots to resolve this summer for Southampton, with a new manager needed and player sales expected.
Photo by Matt Watson/Southampton FC via Getty Images
Photo by Matt Watson/Southampton FC via Getty Images
Crystal Palace want to sign Mateus Fernandes from Southampton
According to a report from Alan Nixon on Patreon, one player that could be on his way out of the club this summer is Mateus Fernandes.
The Portuguese midfielder joined Southampton from Sporting Lisbon last summer, and despite the poor campaign overall, Fernandes has managed to stand out as a top performer for Southampton.
Now, FA Cup winners Crystal Palace are lining up a move to “rescue” Fernandes from relegation, and have a £20m offer prepared for the 20-year-old.
It is said Palace want to do a “quick deal” for Fernandes, as they look to capitalise on Southampton’s relegation, while also preparing for their own European adventure next season.
Statistics Mateus Fernandes 2024/25
Appearances 41
Goals 3
Assists 5
Pass success 79.8%
Shot-creating actions/90 2.33
Tackles won/90 1.49
Touches/90 54.5
Data via FBRef
Nixon adds that Palace may be worried about losing Adam Wharton this summer, and suggests that Fernandes “fits the bill” in terms of replacing the young England international if that does happen.
Losing Fernandes would be a blow for Saints fans, who were excited about the prospect of a Shea Charles-Mateus Fernandes pivot in the middle of the park next season.
Photo by Joe Prior/Visionhaus via Getty Images
Photo by Joe Prior/Visionhaus via Getty Images
A summer of huge change for Southampton
Southampton are not in great shape heading into the summer. First and foremost, they need to find a new manager.
Simon Rusk has been in temporary charge since April 7, when Ivan Juric departed. As things stand, Will Still looks most likely to take over at St. Mary’s.
However, Frank Lampard is also in the running for the Southampton job, and is thought to be keen on making that move.
In terms of players, Southampton may replace Aaron Ramsdale with Anthony Patterson, they’ve got Luis Guilherme on their shopping list, and have now been linked with Wycombe’s Richard Kone, too.
One thing’s for sure, the Southampton squad will look very different come August, for better or worse.