Southampton FC: New Mateus Fernandes twist emerges - Leeds United and Nottingham Forest face battle | OneFootball

The number of clubs that want to buy the 21-year-old is only growing.

Atletico Madrid have joined the race for Southampton midfielder Mateus Fernandes.

The summer outgoings have already begun for the Saints. All being well with his medical, goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale is on his way to joining Newcastle United on a loan deal with an option to buy him at the end of it. The move includes a sizeable loan fee, according to The Athletic.

Other talents like Tyler Dibling and Taylor Harwood-Bellis are being monitored by Premier League clubs, but there is yet to be any real movement for the pair.

Where the transfer interest is really hotting up is with Fernandes, Southampton's 21-year-old Portuguese midfielder. Three Premier League sides - Crystal Palace, Leeds United and Nottingham Forest - had already been linked with the former Sporting Lisbon player, although, like with Dibling and Harwood-Bellis, no official moves have been made.

Atletico Madrid linked with Southampton's Mateus Fernandes

Atletico Madrid have now joined that race for Fernandes, according to Sun journalist Jack Rosser.

They are the second continental club to be after the midfielder, following reports of Juventus' interest in him.

Suggestions about how much it would take to convince Southampton to let go of the Portuguese under-21 international vary. He only moved to St Mary's last summer for a fee of £15 million and signed a five-year deal, giving the Saints plenty of leverage in negotiations.

Alan Nixon stated that Leeds were willing to offer up to £30 million for Olhao-born player, however local reports have suggested that the fee would need to be much higher than that to get Southampton to agree to a sale.

Rosser also revealed that West Ham had registered their interest in Fernandes but they weren't encouraged about their chances of landing him this summer. Other clubs have found negotiations with the Saints tough this summer, as per The Telegraph's John Percy.

Southampton should demand lots of money for Mateus Fernandes

Fernandes was one of Southampton's only bright points in a miserable campaign last time out. His performances for one of the worst teams in Premier League history certainly justify the interest in him from top flight clubs in this country, as well as from elsewhere in Europe.

Southampton are in a really strong position to hold out for a high price tag. One, because of his contract situation, and two, because he has hinted that he is open to sticking around at St Mary's despite their relegation to the Championship.

With all that in mind, they would be idiotic to bend to the will of the long list of interested clubs. The further down the page that list stretches, the chances of Will Still's side receiving a hefty sum for Fernandes' services will only increase.