The 21-year-old Portuguese talent only joined the Saints last summer for around £15 million, signing a five-year deal until 2029. His performances last season in the top flight attracted attention despite the club’s relegation, and Graham Potter has now identified him as a key target in his first transfer window in charge at the London Stadium.
Contract security and Saints stance
Southampton’s strong contractual position means they hold the upper hand in negotiations. Fernandes remains tied to St. Mary’s for another four years, with no release clause reported. That allows the club to demand a significant fee — particularly this late in the summer window — and the £30m figure being discussed would represent a doubling of their initial outlay.
Will Still named Fernandes on the bench for Saturday’s Championship opener against Wrexham, introducing him just after the hour mark with his side trailing 1-0. The midfielder helped turn the tide as Ryan Manning’s free-kick levelled before Jack Stephens headed home the winner.
West Ham’s interest
West Ham’s pursuit of Fernandes dates back to before he joined Southampton, but at that time the Hammers prioritised other targets. Now, with the club seeking midfield reinforcements before the 1 September deadline, Fernandes has become their top priority.
The East London outfit are also monitoring Aston Villa’s Jacob Ramsey and Belgian talent Ngal-ayel Mukau, but Fernandes’ ability to operate as both a box-to-box midfielder and deep-lying playmaker has pushed him to the top of Potter’s shortlist.
Southampton’s decision
While Fernandes has shown no sign of pushing for a move — in contrast to Tyler Dibling, who was left out of the matchday squad amid exit rumours — Southampton must weigh up whether to cash in now or risk losing a major sale opportunity in the future.
If West Ham meet their valuation, the Saints could look to reinvest in multiple positions before the window shuts, with midfield depth already bolstered by Shea Charles and Flynn Downes. However, the club’s preference remains to keep Fernandes for their promotion push.
📊 Key FotMob Stats – 2024/25 Premier League (Southampton):
• Appearances: 36
• Goals: 0
• Assists: 2
• Minutes played: 2,492
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