West Ham have been handed a very encouraging update on their move for Southampton star Mateus Fernandes – despite having an initial bid knocked back.
The Hammers have turned their attentions to arguably the most important element of Graham Potter’s rebuild – their midfield.
West Ham want two new midfielders with a host of their current crop up for sale.
Potter’s prime targets are reportedly Aston Villa star Jacob Ramsey and Southampton ace Mateus Fernandes.
With Saints back in the Championship after their dismal relegation campaign, signing talented 21-year-old Portuguese star Fernandes may look straightforward.
Hammers turn full focus to midfield rebuild
West Ham showed the power of the Premier League pound when they forced Leicester into the sale of goalkeeper Mads Hermansen at less than £18m – half the price they originally wanted.
The problem for the Hammers is that Southampton have been well run and are not in the kind of PSR financial difficulty in which Leicester find themselves.
That means lifelong West Ham fan Will Still and his Southampton bosses can effectively name their price for Fernandes, who arrived on the south coast last year in a £15m move from Sporting.
All-action Fernandes is widely expected to leave St Mary’s after their relegation to the Championship, where Sky Sports pundit Andy Hinchcliffe claims he will be among the three best players.
Hinchcliffe’s partner on Sky Sports’ commentary for the Saints’ opening day win over Wrexham at the weekend revealed what Southampton have told Fernandes about joining West Ham this summer.
Effectively that he can leave if West Ham pay the asking price being set by Southampton.
Now West Ham have been handed a major Fernandes boost despite the Saints rejecting their first bid.
Potter is desperate for more dynamism in his immobile, unathletic and frankly boring midfield.
That was underlined in the club’s last pre-season friendly of the summer when ex Southampton skipper James Ward-Prowse started again and failed to impress – again – to leave many Hammers fans feeling deflated about their prospects this season.
Andy Irving is attracting interest – and a bid – from Celtic.
The Scot is for sale along with a number of other midfielders including Guido Rodriguez, Edson Alvarez and – if some reports are to be believed – even fan favourite Tomas Soucek.
West Ham get major Fernandes boost despite Saints rejecting bid
It is clear Fernandes is West Ham’s top priority now.
Because the Hammers made an official £30m bid for the midfielder overnight.
Journalist Jacob Steinberg said West Ham are ‘confident’ of signing Fernandes in an update claiming an opening bid was imminent overnight.
There have been a number of moves between the Hammers and Saints in recent seasons including Ward-Prowse at £30m, Flynn Downes – first on loan and permanently at £18m – and Kyle Walker-Peters joining the east Londoners on a free transfer.
The bid Steinberg touted has gone in – but was swiftly rejected by Southampton.
Southern Daily Echo reporter Alfie House says the bid was worth £30m and was seen as so derisory it was not even considered by Southampton.
“Understand West Ham’s opening offer for Mateus Fernandes will not even be considered by Saints,” House said on X.
“It’s not close to the region required to make a move happen in total fee or payment terms.
“Thing to consider is that Saints invested £15million into Mateus Fernandes a year ago because they believed they knew how much he could eventually be worth. That’s why the opening fees suggested, under £30m, don’t make any sense for a player with four years left.”
Sky Sports journalists Lyall Thomas and Mark McAdam have confirmed a West Ham bid believed to be around the £30m mark has indeed been turned down by Southampton.
But there was a more encouraging message in their latest update on the situation, as shared by McAdam on Tuesday evening.
Journalist close to Sullivan’s son gives West Ham Fernandes hope
And it is notable because McAdam is close friends with – and podcast partner of – Jack Sullivan, the son of West Ham chief David Sullivan.
McAdam states that while it remains to be see if West Ham will make another bid for Fernandes, ‘talks are continuing’ between the two clubs over a deal.
If Southampton were not interested in selling Fernandes and were so offended by West Ham’s opening bid, then why would they be engaging with and ‘continuing talks’?
Logic suggests the Hammers must have some information a deal is there to be done – and that the player would be open to a move to east London.
That being said he is Saints’ player and on a long-term deal – so it is up to them what they value the player at and down to West Ham to pay it if they really want to back the manager and believe in Fernandes.
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