West Ham eyeing up transfer for Southampton player - he is open to exiting St Mary's | OneFootball

Mateus Fernandes could be heading out of the exit door at the Saints sooner rather than later

West Ham United are "actively monitoring" the situation of Southampton midfielder Mateus Fernandes, who could depart the Championship outfit before the transfer window slams shut in September.

The Saints have somewhat cleared the decks this summer with a few big names exiting the club, with Paul Onuachu, Kamaldeen Sulemana, Kyle Walker-Peters and Jan Bednarek among the departees from St Mary's Stadium.

Despite that, some key players still remain for new head coach Will Still, including winger Tyler Dibling - who is attracting the interest of Everton, who have had bids rejected and their latest package is totalling £40 million - whilst the aforementioned Fernandes also remains, but for how much longer is anyone's guess.

West Ham interested in Southampton midfielder Mateus Fernandes

Southampton snapped up Portugal youth international Fernandes last summer from Sporting CP, who he played just 10 times for and had spent the 2023-24 season on loan at Estoril in the Primeira Liga.

The Saints splashed out £15 million on Fernandes' services, and he went on to play in all but two of Southampton's Premier League matches last season, scoring two goals and assisting a further four in a side that struggled throughout the campaign.

Fernandes hasn't departed anywhere for now, but interest is ramping up in his services, with one club that are circling being West Ham, according to a report from GiveMeSport.

It is claimed that the Hammers are long-term admirers of the 21-year-old midfield maestro, and they could make a move for him before the end of the window - although the report claims that Southampton aren't under any pressure to sell one of their key assets.

In terms of what Fernandes thinks though, GMS claim that the youngster is open to departing his current club before the September 1 transfer deadline, but with Everton edging closer to meeting the valuation of his team-mate Dibling, Southampton may have no reason to sell unless it's for a high price.

Mateus Fernandes is good enough to step back into the Premier League immediately

Despite a real lack of professional experience, with just one full season in the top flight of Portuguese football to his name, Fernandes stood out as one of Southampton's stars last season in what was otherwise a really disappointing campaign.

Southampton already have the nucleus of a top Championship squad on paper even when you take away the players that have already departed, and if they cashed in on both Fernandes and Dibling, you not only still have a good squad, but also the funds to replenish in the final few weeks of the transfer window.

Naturally, Southampton would like to keep a player of Fernandes' quality for their Championship season, but if the interest from West Ham and others firms up, then player power could potentially take over - and he's definitely a player who would improve the Hammers' first-team squad and potentially starting 11.