West Ham United submit improved offer for Southampton midfielder Mateus Fernandes | OneFootball

West Ham United have made an improved offer for Southampton midfielder Mateus Fernandes, according to the Guardian journalist Jacob Steinberg.

Manager Graham Potter wants to strengthen his midfield ranks at the London Stadium club with the Saints star.’

Their first bid for the ‘exceptional‘ 21-year-old was rejected, and it is unclear whether they have gone high enough to get a deal done.

Southampton are reluctant to let Fernandes leave, after he featured in their opening two games of the 2025-26 Championship campaign.

A juicy bid for a player described as having a ‘brilliant mentality‘ could change things, and the Hammers will be hoping to make headway in his pursuit.

They kicked off the new Premier League campaign with a disappointing 3-0 defeat at Sunderland on Saturday.

Their midfield was far from impressive as the newly-promoted Black Cats were the better side all over the pitch.

Potter needs to bring in a top midfielder capable of changing the club’s fortunes in the middle of the park, and Fernandes fits the profile.

He ended his debut Premier League campaign with two goals and four assists in 36 games.

His strengths include holding on to the ball, defensive contribution and dribbling, and signing him could upgrade West Ham’s midfield.

Fernandes is not the only target the Hammers have been linked to in the position, but it appears he is the only one they have made a concrete move for.