West Ham United have completed the high-profile signing of 21-year-old Portuguese midfielder Mateus Fernandes from relegated Southampton.
The acquisition comes through a five-year contract at an initial transfer fee believed to exceed £40 million, with some reports placing the deal around £38 million plus add-ons, and others citing figures upwards of £40 million.
Fernandes, a product of Sporting’s youth academy, joined Southampton in August 2024 and made his debut shortly after. Over the last season, he registered 36 Premier League appearances, contributing two goals and showcasing his creativity and composure in midfield.
According to the official club statement, Fernandes described the move as a step up, praising West Ham as a “massive club” and expressing excitement about the project, stadium, and city. West Ham manager Graham Potter highlighted Fernandes’ Premier League experience and underscored his potential to strengthen a midfield area in need of stability.
This signing arrives at a critical juncture. West Ham have endured a tough start to the season with two Premier League losses and an early League Cup exit. Fernandes becomes the sixth signing of the summer, joining Callum Wilson, Kyle Walker-Peters, Mads Hermansen, El Hadji Malick Diouf, and Jean-Clair Todibo.
The transfer also positions Fernandes as one of West Ham’s most expensive signings, ranking behind Sebastian Haller and potentially among the top three, depending on exact figures.
For Southampton, this comes after rejecting an earlier £30 million bid for Fernandes. Manager Will Still later confirmed Fernandes expressed his wish to leave, suggesting the move was the best outcome for both player and club. The funds are expected to be reinvested as Saints push for Championship promotion.
With the midfield settled for now, West Ham are still pursuing reinforcements. They are reportedly close to signing Soungoutou Magassa from Monaco, adding further youth and potential to their squad.
This major addition signals West Ham’s intent to recalibrate their midfield dynamics under Graham Potter. With European qualification ambitions still alive, Fernandes’ integration will be pivotal as they aim to turn around results and regain confidence.
