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(Credit: Imago)

Edward Bazeley

Thu 21 August 2025 20:16, UK

West Ham United have set their sights on Werder Bremen star Romano Schmid and Lens ace Andy Diouf as Graham Potter continues to look for a new midfielder.

As the East London club look to strengthen their ranks, West Ham have eyed a move for Southampton’s Mateus Fernandes.

The 21-year-old was a shining light for an otherwise struggling Saints side in the Premier League last term, notching two goals and four assists in 36 top-flight appearances.

Meanwhile, Southampton are yet to receive a second bid for Fernandes, which has angered West Ham supporters.

Potter is vying to bolster his midfield (Credit Imago)

Potter must turn matters around at the London Stadium, after Sunderland beat West Ham 3-0 on Saturday, 16 August.

However, the Hammers face a tough task when they take on Club World Cup champions Chelsea on Friday, 22 August.

Meanwhile, The Guardian reported on Thursday, 21 August: “Potter views Fernandes as his ideal number eight, but West Ham are not willing to meet Southampton’s asking price of £50million and will consider other options.

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“The club are tracking Werder Bremen’s Romano Schmid and are interested in the Lens midfielder Andy Diouf.”

Potter is set to turn his attention away from Fernandes (Credit: Hasan Karim, Breaking Media)

Football Insider verdict

Understandably, West Ham’s main midfield target is Fernandes, as the Southampton man has Premier League experience, while the 21-year-old still boasts plenty of potential.

Mateus Fernandes statsAll competitions 2025/26Appearances3Goals1Assists0West Ham could sign Schmid or Diouf instead of Fernandes

However, Schmid’s return of five goals and five assists across all competitions for Werder Bremen last season arguably shows that he is ready to make the transition from the Bundesliga to the Premier League.

Meanwhile, Diouf is somewhat less creative, notching one goal and two assists last term, but the experience he has earned in Ligue 1, as well as the Conference League, the Europa League, and the Champions League, suggests that he could be an asset for West Ham.

Potter has a lot of questions to answer, after steering the Hammers to poor form in the top flight last season, while last weekend’s comprehensive loss at the Stadium of Light deservedly led to further scrutiny.

However, signing either Diouf or Schmid could help his cause.

Elsewhere, former football manager Martin Allen weighed in on the East London side’s performance at Sunderland in a West Ham Zone exclusive.

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