Mateus Fernandes to leave West Ham regardless as Southampton in line for windfall
Mateus Fernandes is reportedly a player that West Ham United have already conceded they will lose this summer.
Signing in a reported £38million deal from Southampton in this season’s summer transfer window, Fernandes has been a revelation at the London Stadium.
The 21-year-old central midfielder has started 33 of his 34 Premier League appearances for West Ham this term, and hasn’t deserved to be part of a relegation battle in truth.
A Portuguese international, he’d came out last season with a relegated Southampton side also being a player that many felt sorry for, as he was by fair Saints’ star player when finishing 20th on 12 points last term.
Therefore, it’s been no surprise to see major transfer interest in Fernandes begin to appear in recent months, with the feeling being that West Ham’s only hope of retaining him lies in Premier League survival.
🚨 WEST HAM TRANSFER HUB 🚨
Breaking news on active deals, incoming signings, summer fire sale, and David Sullivan priorities.
The definitive source for West Ham United recruitment news
What’s the latest on Mateus Fernandes West Ham transfer?
Man United have been strongly linked to Fernandes, with the Red Devils widely reported to have been tracking his progress at West Ham this season.
However, given he’s only one year into a long-term contract with the Hammers, and with him still being a young player, Irons fans have been hopeful that if Nuno Espirito Santo‘s side stay up this season, he could stay on for another year at least.
| Fernandes’ 25-26 PL stats | Result |
| Pass accuracy | 87.4% |
| Accurate long balls | 104 |
| Chances created | 34 |
| Duels won | 191 |
| Average match rating | 7.2/10 |
Alas, that no longer seems to be the case, as a fresh report from The Athletic on Thursday has dealt a hammer blow to West Ham’s chances of keeping their prized possession.
The report claims that West Ham are already planning for life after Fernandes, after there has been a marked increase in the number of European scouts present at the London Stadium to watch him.
Inside sources, speaking on the condition of anonymity, have reportedly said that the club have already accepted he will be sold this summer, regardless of what division West Ham are plying their trade in for 2026-27.
French giants Paris Saint-Germain are understood to be a strong suitor for Fernandes, whilst the Hammers can expect to turn a large profit on him despite Southampton holding a 15 per cent sell-on fee.
West Ham shouldn’t rue an expected Fernandes sale
Whenever your team loses a star player, especially a young and ascending talent like Fernandes, it’s always a tough pill to swallow.
However, West Ham don’t really have a strong hand to play when it comes to being able to resist interest from some of world football’s biggest clubs this summer.
Hammers fans shouldn’t cry that it looks to be over with Fernandes though, instead, they should smile knowing that this was always the roadmap for his time at the London Stadium.
Signing a highly-rated young player and selling them on for major profits is the dream business of every football club, and so in many respects, whilst it would’ve been fabulous had he done so, spending many years at West Ham was never likely.
His sale alone could potentially fund West Ham’s entire transfer spend for the 2026-27 season, whilst also allowing an excellent young player his chance to go and evolve into one of Europe’s best midfielders on the biggest stages.