West Ham United have signed Mateus Fernandes from Southampton for over £40 million to strengthen their midfield. Fernandes, a Portuguese Under-21 international, becomes the third-most expensive player in West Ham’s history. He impressed for Southampton despite their relegation, playing 36 Premier League games last season. Fernandes signed a five-year contract and expressed his excitement to play for West Ham. His arrival is a boost for manager Graham Potter, who is under pressure ahead of their game against Nottingham Forest. Fernandes is West Ham’s sixth signing of the transfer window.
West Ham United, currently navigating a challenging start to the Premier League season, have made a significant investment in their midfield with the acquisition of Portuguese Under-21 international Mateus Fernandes from Southampton. The deal, exceeding £40 million, underscores the Hammers' commitment to bolstering their squad and addressing their early-season struggles.
The 21-year-old Fernandes arrives at the London Stadium with a burgeoning reputation, having impressed during his time with Southampton despite their relegation from the Premier League last season. His arrival marks a statement of intent from West Ham, who are keen to improve upon their recent form after losing their opening two league games and suffering an early exit from the EFL Cup at the hands of Wolves.
Fernandes' transfer fee positions him as the third-most expensive player in West Ham's history, highlighting the club's belief in his potential. He trails only the creative midfielder Lucas Paqueta and striker Sebastien Haller in terms of transfer outlay, demonstrating the significant investment the club is making to rejuvenate their squad.
Southampton had only acquired Fernandes from Sporting CP last year in a £15 million deal. Despite Southampton's struggles and eventual relegation to the Championship, Fernandes shone as a bright spark. His performances caught the eye of several clubs, but it was West Ham who ultimately secured his signature. His quick turnaround and significant profit for Southampton exemplifies the young midfielder's rapid development and growing value.
Last season, Fernandes featured in 36 Premier League games for Southampton, starting in 34 of those appearances. During that time, he contributed two goals and provided four assists. He demonstrated his creative abilities by creating 34 chances for his teammates, which was the joint-most by a Southampton player, alongside Ryan Manning, showcasing his ability to influence games in the final third. Even after Southampton's relegation, Fernandes remained a key figure, featuring in all three of their Championship games this season under the management of Will Still.
Upon signing a five-year contract with West Ham, Fernandes expressed his excitement about joining the club. He spoke of his belief that this move represents a significant step forward in his career, recognizing the club's stature, the quality of the stadium, and the appeal of the city of London. His commitment to playing attractive, creative football signals his intention to contribute positively to the team's style of play.
“I’m very happy to be here. I’m very excited to play for West Ham,” Fernandes said. “I think it’s a big step for me. It’s a big club, a massive club. The project, the stadium, the city, everything. I want to try to play football, enjoy football, not just run and try to score, but try to play good football. I think the most important thing is to try to give everything every day.”
The arrival of Fernandes provides a welcome boost for West Ham manager Graham Potter, who is already under pressure to turn the team's fortunes around. With a challenging fixture against Nottingham Forest looming on Sunday, Potter will be hoping that Fernandes can quickly integrate into the squad and make an immediate impact. The midfielder's creativity and energy could be key to unlocking West Ham's attacking potential.
Fernandes is West Ham's sixth signing of the transfer window, joining a host of new arrivals at the London Stadium. Callum Wilson, Kyle Walker-Peters, Mads Hermansen, and El Hadji Malick Diouf have already joined the club, while Jean-Clair Todibo's loan move has been made permanent for £35 million. The influx of new players demonstrates West Ham's ambition to build a competitive squad capable of challenging for honors in the Premier League and beyond.
West Ham fans will be eager to see Fernandes in action and will be hoping that he can quickly adapt to the demands of the Premier League. His arrival represents a significant investment in the future, and his performances could be crucial to the club's success this season.