Crystal Palace are set to build on their FA Cup triumph by swooping for Southampton midfielder Mateus Fernandes, according to Alan Nixon.
The Eagles are soaring following a famous cup final win over Manchester City as Oliver Glasner delivered the first trophy in the club's history. Several players stole the show at Wembley, including Adam Wharton, who Pep Guardiola is a fan of, while Liverpool are said to be "very keen".
Palace are always shrewd on the recruitment front, and it appears they would rectify a Wharton departure by making a move for Fernandes. The Portuguese midfielder's future looks to lie away from Southampton following relegation, and the South Londoners are ready to do a "quick deal".
Crystal Palace Want To Win Fernandes Race
The Portuguese could be available at £20m
Mateus Fernandes
Fernandes only joined the Saints in the summer of 2024, arriving from Sporting CP in a £15m deal. He's impressed since arriving in England, displaying a ball-playing profile akin to Wharton while playing various roles this season, including central, attacking and defensive midfield and even on the wing.
Nixon reports on his Patreon that the 20-year-old is valued at £20m, but Palace are eager to win the race ahead of a UEFA Europa League campaign next season. He has been hailed as "the ultimate Premier League midfielder" by former midfielder Jo Tessem amid fine displays at St Mary's.
Glasner will want a squad who can deal with the gruelling schedule that European football brings, and if Wharton were to stay, then he'd have two excellent midfielders to use.
Mateus Fernandes Statistics (Premier League 2024-25)
Appearances:
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Big chances created:
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Balls recovered per game:
Successful dribbles:
Ground duels won:
Aerial duels won:
Fernandes could yet stay at St Mary's, where a new manager is expected to be appointed soon. Will Still and Tom Cleverley are reportedly among those approached for the job. The Saints sacked Ivan Juric in early April after relegation was confirmed.
All statistics courtesy ofSofaScore- correct as of 19/05/2025.
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