"Would demoralise him" - Southampton star urged to snub Leeds United transfer for Nottingham Forest move | OneFootball

FLW's fan pundit feels that in-demand midfielder Mateus Fernandes would be better off at an established Premier League club than newly-promoted Leeds.

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

Southampton suffered a calamitous season in the Premier League and have been relegated straight back to the Championship, but not all the reviews of their players this season have been negative.

Among the Southampton players to have emerged from this disastrous season with their reputation unscathed is midfielder Mateus Fernandes, who is now attracting the interest of several Premier League clubs.

The 20-year-old signed for the Saints last summer from Sporting CP, and he has impressed throughout this campaign despite his team's terrible performance in the Premier League throughout 2024/25.

It was reported earlier this month that Nottingham Forest were interested in him, and it's now been suggested that Leeds United could be lining up a £30 million bid for him, while there have also been rumours of interest in him from Aston Villa and West Ham United.

Southampton fan favourite Fernandes urged to favour Nottingham Forest move over Leeds

FLW spoke to Southampton fan pundit Martin Sanders, who was full of praise for Fernandes for both his performances and his work-rate this season.

"He's been our best player by a mile," Martin told FLW.

"I've said this a few times - he's got an unbelievable engine, he works hard, he's tenacious, he's fit, he's athletic, he's got a lovely touch, he can dribble with the ball, his distribution is good."

But Sanders also recognises that Fernandes will probably stay in the Premier League next season, and despite the links coming out with Leeds, he thinks that a club in European competition like Forest would be a better natural step.

"I hope we keep him because he could give us a title chance, so I hope we don't let him go," Martin added.

"I think Nottingham Forest would suit him, but I think that going to Leeds, a side who'll be scrapping against relegation, would demoralise him.

"He's been quite demoralised this season. In interviews with local radio, he's had some really low moments. He's adjusting to England from Portugal. But he cleaned up at our Player of the Year award, and won the fans' Player of the year and the Southampton Daily Echo's Player of the Year."

Southampton can name their price for Mateus Fernandes - his exit is inevitable

There is nothing to indicate that Fernandes has a relegation release clause in his contract, and if this is the case, it definitely strengthens Southampton's hand in any upcoming transfer negotiations this summer.

He signed for the club for a fee of around £15 million in August 2024, and with a five-year contract in place he is contracted to the Saints until 2029.

With bids expected for the player to be around £30 million, there seems little question that Southampton will at least be able to turn a decent profit on him, no matter who they sell him to.

But with Fernandes having become a favourite over the course of the 2024/25 season, there will still be considerable disappointment among Southampton fans, should he make the decision to stay in the Premier League for next season as well and leave St Mary's behind.