West Ham United are closing in on a £38 million transfer for Southampton midfielder Mateus Fernandes, as Graham Potter prepares to undertake a significant midfield overhaul.
The 21-year-old Portuguese midfielder has had a medical in London, with technicalities of the transfer drawing to a close. Fernandes, one of the shining lights at Southampton, will become a high-profile recruit in West Ham’s rebuild over the summer.
West Ham have moved fast this transfer window, eager to give their midfield a boost following a poor start to the season under Potter. In addition to Fernandes, the club will also sign Soungoutou Magassa from AS Monaco.
Magassa, who is also 21, will set Monaco back approximately €17 million (£14.7 million) with a further €3 million in performance-based bonuses. The French Under-21 international is considered a natural No. 6 who can anchor the midfield with discipline and calmness.
- Mateus Fernandes – attacking flair, creativity
- Soungoutou Magassa – defensive solidity, tactical awareness
Fernandes is being recruited to play as an energetic No 8, bringing energy, vision and attacking drive. The double swoop follows as Potter seeks to solve problems in both the defence and attack balance within the team.
With West Ham in urgent need of a midfield spark, the signings of Fernandes and Magassa provide fans with a ray of hope. The club is looking to its young, multi-skilled players to rescue it from its fortunes of decline.
There were tough initial talks with Southampton, who wanted £50 million for Fernandes – a player that they had brought in only last year for £12 million.
West Ham’s initial offer of £30 million plus £2 million worth of add-ons was flatly rejected. Following ongoing negotiations, a breakthrough was achieved when a new offer was made: a base fee of £35 million, £3 million in add-ons, and a sell-on clause of 15%.
A compromise was eventually achieved despite Southampton being hesitant, particularly following the departure of Tyler Dibling to Everton. Fernandes will sign on Thursday.
Magassa, however, also had a medical on Wednesday and is said to be available to sign a six-year deal. West Ham had to fend off late approaches from Nottingham Forest and Eintracht Frankfurt, with the former trying to hijack the transfer after a bid was made.
But Magassa was adamant he wanted to join West Ham.
Graham Potter is not finished. The Hammers are also eyeing Feyenoord’s Quinten Timber as a third midfield target, according to sources. No decision has been made on proceeding with a formal bid.
West Ham are otherwise searching for an explosive striker to add some pace to their forward line before the window closes.
And in some other Premier League news, Wolves have signed defender Ladislav Krejci from Girona. The Czech international signs on a temporary basis, with his £20 million transfer triggered after a set number of appearances.
Krejci, aged 26, had won two league titles with Sparta Prague prior to his time in La Liga. He is Vítor Pereira’s fifth summer signing.
Wolves aren’t done either, they remain in the hunt for both a central midfielder and a striker, with Genk’s Tolu Arokodare high on their radar.
West Ham’s aggressive midfield policy highlights the sense of urgency at the club to remake its very foundation.
With Fernandes and Magassa nearly over the line, and likely more to come, Potter is building blocks for a younger, more dynamic team. Whether the risk comes off, however, is yet to be determined.
