(Credit: Imago)

Callum O'Connell

Thu 7 August 2025 12:23, UK

West Ham are plotting a late-window move to sign Southampton star Mateus Fernandes, according to their former senior scout.

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Mick Brown, who also worked as the chief scout at Man United and Sunderland and remains very well-connected at his former clubs, exclusively told Football Insider that the 21-year-old has emerged among Graham Potter’s top midfield targets.

While the Saints are reluctant to lose their star man this summer, he is believed to be keen to return to the Premier League after last season’s relegation.

This comes after Football Insider exclusively revealed in May that West Ham, Aston Villa and Leeds want Fernandes and are prepared to race for his signature.

Will Still has taken over at Southampton this summer (Credit Imago)

Potter is not believed to be content with his current midfield options and is aiming to bolster his options alongside a number of key positions before the window closes.

Brown told Football Insider that West Ham want to sign a new midfielder and would be prepared to let Tomas Soucek leave to facilitate a new addition.

This article contains exclusive comment from Mick Brown, a football transfer expert and former chief scout for Man United and Sunderland among others.

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Brown told Football Insider on 22 June that Crystal Palace have joined the race for Fernandes, who is valued at £25million by Southampton.

The former scout, who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment after over a decade at Man United during their most successful period, insisted the Hammers are now planning to move ahead of their rivals in the race for his signature.

“West Ham have been looking at Fernandes from Southampton,” he told Football Insider.

“I must admit, I don’t know too much about him other than he was part of a side that got relegated with a shocking points tally last season.

“Whenever I watched Southampton, he didn’t particularly stand out, but these clubs will know more than me because they’ll have watched him closely.

Graham Potter is keen to add to his squad.

(Credit: Imago)

“This is the area West Ham have to operate in, signing top young players from the Championship and picking off the best players from relegated clubs.

“It’s something that has proved a success in the past, so it could be a good move for them.

“If they’ve done their scouting and background work and think he’s a good option, they’ll go for it.

“There is no shortage of interest in Fernandes, though, so they may have to move quickly if they want to get ahead of these other clubs in for him.

“Graham Potter wants to strengthen his midfield, and if Fernandes is an option for them and would fit into his way of playing, it could work for them.”

The Hammers’ pursuit of Fernandes comes alongside ongoing speculation surrounding the future of Lucas Paqueta and whether he could leave the London Stadium.

Brown told Football Insider on 29 July that West Ham could accept offers for Paqueta after he was cleared of spot-fixing allegation by the FA.

(Credit: Imago)

However, Brown told Football Insider on 6 August that Man City are unlikely to sign Paqueta despite suggestions they could reignite their long-standing interest.

Any deal would now be expected to cost closer to £30million, but there is little room in the City squad and Pep Guardiola is focusing on selling players as things stand.

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