A West Ham insider has revealed that Southampton star Mateus Fernandes has given his answer after a second bid was made following Will Still’s telling admission over his future.
West Ham may be edging closer to finally signing the midfielder they desperately need after submitting a second bid to Southampton for Mateus Fernandes.
The Hammers saw a £30m offer rejected by the Saints around 10 days ago.
It has been reported that Southampton told West Ham not to bother making another bid unless they added another £20m on top.
Graham Potter’s side were embarrassed on the opening day of the season, losing 3-0 to newly-promoted Sunderland, who have replaced Southampton in the top flight and look set to make a much better fist of staying there.
Once again West Ham’s midfield was the standout problem, as it has been for the best part of two years.
West Ham frantically move to fix major midfield problem
Hammers fans are furious that the club has left it this late in the window – with less than two weeks remaining – to address the issue.
But West Ham burst into life by making official bids for three midfielders in one day this week.
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One of those bids, it has been revealed, was a second offer for Southampton star Fernandes.
Hammers News reported overnight that Fernandes, Ngal’ayel Mukau and Andrey Santos were likely the three midfielders West Ham had moved for.
Top David Sullivan confidant Sean Whetstone revealed West Ham hope to sign two of the three they have bid for.
Now the West Ham insider says Saints star Fernandes has given his answer after a telling Will Still admission.
Mateus Fernandes during Southampton Pre-Season Friendly
Photo by Matt Watson/Southampton FC via Getty Images
At 21, Fernandes is a very highly-rated and sought-after all-action midfielder.
Saints paid £15m to sign him from Sporting last summer.
He was a standout player in their dismal season, which saw them narrowly avoid setting a new record as the worst team in Premier League history.
So many journalists, pundits and fans have been baffled by Championship Southampton’s £50-60m valuation of Fernandes.
Especially when established international and Premier League stars of a similar profile have been going for £25-30m this summer.
Southampton are not facing any immediate financial difficulties, though. So the price they set is very much their prerogative.
Insider says Fernandes has given his answer after Still admission
However, now Whetstone, a close ally of Hammers majority owner Sullivan, has revealed Fernandes’ stance on the situation.
Taking to X, Whetstone says his West Ham sources have revealed that Fernandes wants the move.
Better still, it is claimed a lack of interest from other Premier League clubs – who would be able to afford Southampton’s asking price – could persuade the south coast club to sell for less than their reported £50m valuation.
It remains to be seen whether the Hammers have made a satisfactory second offer.
But the news comes after a big admission from Saints boss – and lifelong West Ham fan – Still this week.
Mateus Fernandes points the way forward as he helps Southampton beat Wrexham
Photo by Matt Watson/Southampton FC via Getty Images
Speaking on Sky Sports, Still said he has been using Fernandes in the Championship because he’s so good he would be ‘stupid not to’.
But when asked about his future, Still then admitted: “I’ll use him as long as I can… we all know what football is like.”
It is easy to see why Potter is desperate to sign Fernandes – and indeed why Southampton value him so highly.
Incredible statistic shows why West Ham want Fernandes
Data shows that Fernandes was the best midfielder aged under 21 in Europe’s top five leagues last season when it comes to winning duels.
Despite playing in a terrible Saints side, Fernandes won 312 duels, a better record than fellow West Ham target Santos, who won 297 on loan at Strasbourg.
Fernandes’ numbers were also better than £120m rated Brighton midfield star Carlos Baleba, who won 293 duels.
Fernandes would undoubtedly instantly strengthen West Ham’s midfield.
Ironically he would be a major and much-needed upgrade on the slow, sideways passing James Ward-Prowse, who the Hammers paid Southampton £30m for two years ago.