Mateus Fernandes has made it clear to Southampton that he wishes to leave before the transfer window closes. His agent is currently in talks with the club, pushing to secure a move. Claret & Hugh believes Fernandes is keen on joining a top European side but remains open to returning to Premier League football at the highest level.
Southampton, however, are currently standing firm on their valuation. The club has publicly declared Fernandes not for sale, stating that only offers in the region of £50 million would be considered—having already turned down West Ham’s initial bid of £30 million.
The Portuguese midfielder is under contract until June 2029 and is reportedly earning £20,000 per week.
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Speaking on Sky Sports last night, Matt Dawson was blunt in his assessment of the situation: “Will Still needs to learn about transfer dealings. He wants £50m for Fernandes, £45m for Dibling—they got 12 points last season, I mean come on!”
Fernandes is pushing for a transfer move
Despite the ongoing speculation, Will Still named Fernandes in the squad for last night’s match against Northampton Town, where the midfielder scored the only goal in a 1–0 victory.
With the transfer deadline fast approaching, Southampton may be forced to reconsider their stance. Prolonging the situation could hinder their ability to find a replacement, and keeping a player who has expressed a desire to leave may not be in the club’s best interest.
This story is expected to evolve in the coming weeks.