West Ham’s £30m offer for Midfielder turned down by Southampton | OneFootball

Southampton Stand Firm Over Mateus Fernandes Bid

West Ham’s £30m Approach Rejected

Southampton have dismissed West Ham United’s opening bid for midfielder Mateus Fernandes, with the offer of up to £30 million, including add-ons, falling well short of the club’s valuation. As reported by David Ornstein in The Athletic, the Championship side did not table a counter-proposal, indicating their stance is firm unless a more substantial offer is made.

Rising Value of a Key Performer

Fernandes, tied to St Mary’s until 2029, is valued on a similar scale to Romeo Lavia, who left for Chelsea in 2023 for £58 million. Southampton see the Portugal Under-21 international as their standout performer last season, having played among the most Premier League minutes for any player under 21. One club source suggested, “Mateus has shown maturity beyond his years and is central to our ambitions this season.”

Photo IMAGO

Career Progression and Current Season

Since arriving from Sporting CP in August last year, Fernandes has made 44 appearances in all competitions, including 36 in the Premier League. He began this Championship campaign from the bench, playing the final 30 minutes in Saturday’s 2-1 victory over Wrexham.

West Ham’s Busy Window Continues

While they chase Fernandes, West Ham have added defender El Hadji Malick Diouf from Slavia Prague and goalkeeper Mads Hermansen from Leicester City. Free agents Kyle Walker-Peters and Callum Wilson have also joined, while Jean Clair-Todibo’s move from Nice was made permanent.

Word count: 259

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

Southampton fans will see this as a statement of intent. In a market where young midfielders command premium prices, turning down £30 million signals that the club will not be pressured into selling cheaply. Fernandes, at just 21, already has the minutes, composure and adaptability to be a core player for years.

However, there is always a fine balance. If West Ham return with an offer north of £50 million, the temptation to reinvest in multiple areas could become difficult to resist. Supporters may fear a repeat of the Lavia situation, where a departure eventually became inevitable once Premier League interest turned serious.

From West Ham’s perspective, their ambition is evident. They are strengthening in key areas and targeting players with high ceilings. Fernandes could slot seamlessly into their midfield, offering defensive stability and attacking transitions.

If talks resume, expect a drawn-out process with public posturing from both clubs. The key question remains whether Fernandes sees his future in the Championship or wants an immediate return to the top flight. For now, Southampton have made their message clear — if you want their prize asset, you will have to pay up.