West Ham United are closing in on their sixth signing of the summer after agreeing a deal with Southampton for midfielder Mateus Fernandes.
According to Sky Sports, the Hammers will pay an initial £38 million plus an additional £4m in add-ons, with a 15% sell-on clause also included in the agreement.
The 21-year-old midfielder has been a key target for manager Graham Potter all summer. He’s seen as the ideal player to inject energy into a midfield that has been exposed at the start of the season.
He was a bright spark in a massively disappointing Southampton team that got relegated last season, scoring twice and providing four assists in 36 Premier League games.
Fernandes created six big chances while winning 54% of his duels in the league. He also recorded 2.5 tackles and five ball recoveries per 90 minutes.
West Ham had seen multiple bids rejected by Southampton earlier in the window.
The Saints were demanding a fee closer to £50m, but with the transfer deadline fast approaching, they have shifted their stance.
Fernandes was also pushing for a return to the Premier League, leading both clubs to find a compromise.
The Portuguese youth international has already undergone a medical in London, and an official announcement is expected soon.
More recruitment expected in the coming days
Fernandes’ arrival will help to lift the mood at West Ham after the club’s awful start to the season.
They lost their opening two Premier League games against Sunderland and Chelsea and were eliminated from the EFL Cup by Wolverhampton Wanderers.
West Ham have conceded 11 goals across those three games, exposing the frailties in their midfield.
Fernandes will help to sort out West Ham’s midfield issues and bolster creativity, although more reinforcements are expected in the coming days.
West Ham are also closing in on a deal for Soungoutou Magassa from AS Monaco.
While Eintracht Frankfurt have threatened to hijack the transfer, West Ham are fairly confident that they can wrap up a £17m deal for the midfielder.