Southampton midfielder Mateus Fernandes is set to undergo a medical at West Ham with a deal seemingly in place, as per Mike McGrath.
Southampton will have known following relegation from the Premier League that they were bound to lose a number of their key players.
After a lengthy transfer saga, teenage star Tyler Dibling saw a move to Everton confirmed and alongside him, Mateus Fernandes has been widely tipped to be among the star players to move on from St. Mary’s before the end of the summer transfer window. Numerous top clubs have been linked with the 21-year-old midfielder, but with the Saints commanding a lofty asking price, no deal has come to fruition.
Southampton star Mateus Fernandes
Image courtesy of: PAUL CHILDS/REUTERS.
However, that looks to have changed.
Writing on X, reporter Mike McGrath has said that Southampton ace Fernandes is now set for a medical with Premier League side West Ham, who have been admirers of the Portuguese ace for some time.
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Separate reports have said an agreement is not reached yet, but West Ham are pushing for one. A £40m total package has been mentioned.
Mateus Fernandes set for his deserved Southampton exit
Fernandes was one of few shining lights for Southampton in their poor Premier League stay. He signed from Sporting CP last summer and quickly acclimatised to England’s top flight, putting in some standout performances in the middle of the park.
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Mateus Fernandes’ 2024/25 stats – via Transfermarkt
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Unfortunately, his efforts weren’t enough to keep the Saints in the Premier League. As a result, it has been widely expected that he moves back to a higher level ever since.
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Southampton man Ross Stewart celebrates
Image courtesy of: DYLAN MARTINEZ/REUTERS.
With this fresh news of an impending West Ham agreement and medical, it is likely that Fernandes has played his last game in Southampton colours. Few will begrudge him for making such a move, and he will arguably be held in higher regard thanks to his conduct and involvement in recent weeks despite the persisting interest.
Time to put the money to use at Southampton
It isn’t ideal to lose a key player so late in the window, but Southampton will have likely expected such an outcome. As a result, they will have a replacement lined up and a plan of how they will put this late cash influx to use.
It will help manager Will Still further make his mark on the squad at St. Mary’s. That can only be a good thing, despite what a boost it would have been to retain Fernandes’ services for the 2025/26 campaign.
Eyes will now turn to the finalisation of an agreement between the Saints and West Ham, and the routine completion of a medical with the Premier League strugglers.
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