Crystal Palace are now plotting a move for a £20m midfielder, and they are looking to get a deal over the line quickly, according to reporter Alan Nixon.
Palace eyeing new midfielder after FA Cup triumph
May 17th, 2025 will be a date forever etched into Palace history, having won their first ever major trophy courtesy of a shock 1-0 FA Cup final victory against Manchester City, which also secures qualification for a maiden Europa League campaign next season.
Midfielder Will Hughes spoke about what it meant to win the first major honour of his career after the game, while admitting it will take some time to sink in.
Hughes has been an important player for Oliver Glasner this season, making 31 appearances in the Premier League, but with a Europa League campaign now on the horizon, the manager may have to bring in some more depth in midfield this summer.
According to a report from Nixon on Patreon (via Football League World), one of the midfielders Crystal Palace have set their sights on is Mateus Fernandes, with a quick deal for the Southampton midfielder now being plotted.
Southampton's Mateus Fernandes in action with Manchester City's Bernardo Silva and Mateo Kovacic
With the Saints suffering relegation from the Premier League, they could be at risk of losing some of their key players, and Fernandes is valued at roughly £20m, amid interest from both Palace and Champions League-chasing Nottingham Forest.
Fernandes deserves another chance in the Premier League
Southampton have endured one of the worst seasons in Premier League history, collecting just 12 points throughout the campaign, but the youngster has shown he deserves a second chance in the top flight with some of his performances.
Despite being just 20-years-old, the attacking midfielder has been a regular starter for the Saints, making 35 appearances in the Premier League, during which time he has managed to amass three goals and two assists.
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Crystal Palace are among the Premier League teams chasing a player who is leaving his club this summer.
Former manager Vasco Seabra has also praised the starlet in the past, describing him as a "very strong and aggressive player with a great ability to cover a lot of ground", and he has performed extremely well across some key defensive metrics, including tackling, over the past year.
Statistic Average per 90
Tackles 2.81 (98th percentile)
Interceptions 0.83 (96th percentile)
Blocks 1.31 (89th percentile)
Clearances 1.12 (85th percentile)
Having stood out defensively, when compared to other attacking midfielders, Fernandes is clearly a well-rounded midfielder, who is capable of playing slightly deeper, and he could be a shrewd acquisition for Crystal Palace this summer.