While they haven't always had the most success, West Ham United have had some incredible players represent them over the last decade or so.
For example, while he wasn't the flashiest of players, Mark Noble, or 'Mr. West Ham' will go down as one of the most beloved players to ever don the Claret and Blue.
Move up the pitch, and you get to Jarrod Bowen, who just can't stop scoring for the Irons, and were he playing for a 'big six' side, would surely be an England regular.
Moyes-Rice-West-Ham
However, arguably the best player to play for the club over the last ten years was Declan Rice, and while he's no longer plying his trade at the London Stadium, reports suggest that the Hammers are after a player who could be their new version of the Englishman.
West Ham target their new Rice
It's been a middling summer for West Ham in terms of transfers this year, as while they have added some quality to the side in El Hadji Malick Diouf, Mads Hermansen and Kyle Walker-Peters, it is not enough.
Moreover, with Edson Alvarez now leaving for Turkish giants Fenerbahçe, the need for midfield reinforcements has only become more acute.
Fortunately, it looks like the East Londoners are trying to make another signing this summer and are targeting someone who could be their new Rice.
Declan Rice with the Europa Conference League trophy for West Ham.
Declan Rice with the Europa Conference League trophy for West Ham.
At least that is according to a recent report from the Standard's Sam Tabuteau, who has reaffirmed West Ham's intense interest in Mateus Fernandes.
More than that, the journalist has revealed that the Hammers made a second, improved, offer for the Portuguese star on Wednesday.
It's not clear how much the Irons offered, but based on reports from earlier this summer, it seems like Southampton value their player at more than £50m.
It could therefore be a complicated and costly transfer to get over the line, but given Fernandes' ability and potential, it's one worth fighting for, especially as he could be West Ham's new Rice.
Why Fernandes could be West Ham's new Rice
Now, the first thing to say is that no, we do not think that Fernandes is as good a player as Rice, nor is he as good as the Englishman was during his final season at West Ham.
mateus-fernandes
However, he is still just 21 years old, and there is no reason to think he couldn't reach that level, especially when he is already such an impressive player.
Furthermore, when we say 'new Rice' we are talking about how the Arsenal star plays today, more as a central midfielder who helps out in attack and defence, not necessarily the version of the player who mainly started as a six.
With that said, what makes the Southampton star such an exciting prospect?
Well, the most significant indication that he's a star in the making is the fact that his underlying numbers are sensational for someone his age.
For example, FBref ranks him in the top 3% of midfielders in Europe's top five leagues across the last 365 days for successful take-ons, the top 8% for goal-creating actions stemming from defensive actions, the top 9% for carries into the final third, the top 10% for tackles in the final third and more, all per 90.
Fernandes' Scout Report
Statistics
Successful Take-Ons
SCA (Take-On)
GCA (Defensive Action)
Tackles (Def 3rd)
% of Aerials Won
Inswinging Corner Kicks
Carries into Final Third
Tackles (Att 3rd)
Progressive Carries
SCA (Fouls Drawn)
Shots from Free Kicks
Crosses
GCA (Dead-ball Pass)
All Stats via FBref
These numbers help to paint the picture of an all-action midfield who is a ball-carrying monster while also being among the best in his position for breaking up play in the middle of the park, which sounds an awful lot like a former Irons star today.
However, while he's excellent at it, he is not just a ball carrier, with respected analyst Ben Mattinson praising his "range of passing" and his ability to pull off the perfect "weight of pass on through balls."
mateus-fernandes-southampton-premier-league
Mattinson is so impressed by his ability to seemingly do it all from the midfield, he's described the 21-year-old as "one of the biggest opportunities this summer."
Finally, like the England international, the "exceptional" Saints star, as dubbed by Mattinson, is also able to produce goal involvements.
In 42 appearances for the South Coast side last season, he scored three goals and provided six assists.
Ultimately, West Ham need midfield reinforcements, and while he won't come cheap, Fernandes looks like he could be the perfect player for them and someone who has the potential to become a new Rice.