Southampton manager Will Still is braced for yet another high-profile departure from his squad to a Premier League club.
Southampton beat Wrexham 2-1 on Saturday afternoon in a dramatic comeback victory for the Saints.
Will Still was treated to a hard-fought win in his first Championship game in charge, after an early Josh Windass penalty was cancelled out by two injury-time goals from Ryan Manning and Jack Stephens.
The Saints’ win bettered an outstanding Southampton stat from last season, but the victory called into question the future of two in-demand Southampton stars.
In the wake of the opening weekend win, Premier League giants West Ham are preparing a bid for one of Still’s top Southampton talents.
Mateus Fernandes during Southampton FC v Fulham FC - Premier League
Photo by Robin Jones/Getty Images
West Ham United set to bid for Southampton midfielder Mateus Fernandes
Still’s starting XI for the Red Dragons clash sparked concern among the St Mary’s faithful regarding the futures of Tyler Dibling and Mateus Fernandes.
Dibling has been in talks with Everton and was left out of the matchday squad by Still because he “wasn’t in a headspace where he was able to play,” in the words of the Saints boss.
With Atletico Madrid tracking Fernandes, Still started the Portuguese international on the bench but introduced the inventive midfielder as a second-half substitute to help inspire the comeback.
After the victory over Wrexham, Still commented on the futures of Dibling and Fernandes.
Still said: “He’s a good player, there’s definitely going to be interest there for him.
“I think Matty (Fernandes) wasn’t quite ready to start, we had to bring him on in the game. Time will tell.”
Just days later, reports have emerged that Premier League West Ham are poised to bid for the supreme Southampton talent.
The Guardian report: “West Ham are preparing an opening bid for the Southampton midfielder Mateus Fernandes. Graham Potter is looking to add energy and creativity in midfield.
“West Ham have identified Fernandes as their top target.
“Fernandes joined Southampton from Sporting Lisbon for £15m last summer and is expected to leave after the club’s relegation. He could cost about £30m.”
Will Still during Southampton's pre-season friendly against Eastleigh
Photo by Robin Jones/Getty Images
Southampton boss Will Still will be desperate to keep Mateus Fernandes
Southampton value Fernandes at £30m, and it’s clear to see why after his impressive cameo against Wrexham.
His attacking impetus changed the game for the Saints, with Fernandes’ creativity in central pockets proving too difficult for the Red Dragons’ midfield to contend with.
Statistic Mateus Fernandes vs Wrexham
Minutes played 31′
Chances created 1
Passes into final third 7
Pass accuracy 77%
Mateus Fernandes’ statistics for Southampton against Wrexham, data from Fotmob
Fernandes’ suitors are no strangers to shopping in the second tier this summer after West Ham signed Mads Hermansen from Leicester City following their interest in Sheffield Wednesday star Pierce Charles.
Earlier in the window, West Ham targeted Hayden Hackney and Sydie Peck, but now it appears that Potter has settled on Fernandes as his top central midfield target in the Championship.
The Guardian adds that “West Ham have tracked Fernandes for more than a year”, and his impressive cameo against the Red Dragons could be his final league outing for Southampton if that longstanding interest materialises.