Southampton are closing in on a deal to sign 20-year-old Sporting Lisbon midfielder Mateus Fernandes to add to Russell Martin’s squad.
Russell Martin has already seen ten first-team players signed for Southampton this summer, with the surprise double swoop for Cameron Archer and Lesley Ogochukwu the most recent two.
The Saints’ 1-0 defeat at Newcastle United on the opening day of the season highlighted the desperate need for a new goalkeeper to come in, as an Alex McCarthy howler proved costly.
However, it appears Southampton are set to add another midfielder to their ranks after the loan signing of Ogochukwu, with reports that the club are set to pay Sporting Lisbon up to £16 million to sign Mateus Fernandes.
With a medical expected to be completed shortly, Martin will hope to have the potential new signing available to face Nottingham Forest in the first home game of the season on Saturday.
- READ MORE: Russell Martin eyes ‘very important’ signing as key Southampton weakness exposed v Newcastle
Mateus Fernandes career so far
Fernandes is just 20 so has not got a long career to look back on.
The youngster started his footballing education in the youth team of current Portuguese fifth tier side Olhanense before being scouted by Sporting aged just 12.
Fernandes made the move across to the Portuguese giants’ academy famous for the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Ricardo Quaresma in 2016 where he progressed through the ranks before making 36 appearances for the ‘B’ side, scoring twice.
The attack-minded midfielder made his senior Sporting debut in a league win over Casa Pia in October 2022, just eight days after signings his first professional contract.
Having made three appearances for the first-team, Fernandes was allowed to join fellow Liga Portugal side Estoril on loan last season where he really came into his own.
Naturally an attacking midfielder, Fernandes played in a double-pivot in the Estoril midfield as he scored once and assisted three times in 35 appearances.
The talented youngster has also made his way through the ranks at international level and has scored two goals in seven games for Portugal under-21s.
Having returned from his loan this summer, Fernandes came on in extra-time in the Portuguese Supercup defeat to Porto and was the first player introduced off the bench in Sporting’s first league game of the season.
However, he was left out of the 6-1 win over Nacional with a move imminent.
What they say about Mateus Fernandes
Sporting manager Ruben Amorim: “No [Marcus Edwards will not go but], what is possible is that Mateus Fernandes could leave.
“It is one of those dilemmas where we want to keep the youngsters, but we have to make choices.
“We have to wait, but he could leave.”
Football analyst and scout Ben Mattinson: “Fernandes is a complete number eight and one of the best talents in Portugal.
“Strengths: passing, through balls, vision, press resistance, stamina, defensive ability. Development areas: shot volume.
“Mateus Fernandes is an all-phase number eight. Solid ball-winner, athletic, powerful carrier, outstanding vertical passing, silky dribbling in tight areas, powerful ball-striking. His loan to Estoril has worked wonders for his progression.
“One of my absolute favourite attributes in Mateus Fernandes is his exceptional ability to play perfectly weighted through balls. Final passes of so many different styles, reverse passes, clipped over the top, through the lines.
“Fernandes manages to judge the weight perfectly which means it curves away from defenders but towards the attacker without them having to break their stride. Those Kevin De Bruyne-type passes.
“With this superpower-like ability, Mateus Fernandes suits having runners in behind constantly that he can play the ball to.”
Mateus Fernandes player profile
- Full name: Mateus Gonçalo Espanha Fernandes
- Age: 20
- Height: 1.78m (5ft 10in)
- Nationality: Portuguese
- Date of birth: 10th July 2004
- Place of birth: Olhão, Portugal
- Position: Centre-midfield
- Club: Sporting Lisbon (Portugal)
Mateus Fernandes to Southampton analysis
Fernandes’ versatility – as displayed by playing deeper whilst at Estoril – is likely one of the key factors behind his arrival.
The 20-year-old’s ability to play as a defensive midfielder, number eight or attacking midfielder means Martin can continue to be flexible with his midfield, but Fernandes’ creativity makes him a really exciting addition.
The arrival of Fernandes will likely spell the end of Southampton’s pursuit of Celtic attacking midfielder Matt O’Riley, with Celtic’s demands of around £30 million pricing the Saints out of a deal.
- READ MORE: How much Southampton have bid for Matt O’Riley as Premier League rival ‘ready to offer’ more
One thing Southampton lack currently is a midfielder capable of unlocking a defence with a through ball or by trying something out of the ordinary and it looks as though they could now resolve that with the signing of Fernandes.
At 20 and with just one senior season under his belt, Fernandes may take a little bit of time to adapt to his new surroundings, but Southampton have made sure that isn’t too much of an issue with the arrival of Ogochukwu adding to the existing options.