West Ham transfer news: Hammers 'preparing' opening bid for Southampton midfielder

West Ham United are reportedly interested in signing Southampton midfielder Mateus Fernandes this summer.

The 21-year-old appeared in the Saints' first match back in the Championship on the weekend, when they narrowly defeated Wrexham on the South coast.

After downing the Red Dragons, Southampton take to the road on Tuesday night, when a trip to Northampton Town in the EFL Cup is scheduled.

Fernandes has experienced a busy summer so far, commencing the domestic campaign with the Saints after playing for Portugal Under-21s at the European Championships in Slovakia.

Since making the high-profile switch from Sporting Lisbon to Southampton in August 2024, Fernandes has featured on 43 occasions, scoring three goals.

© Imago

West Ham preparing bid for Fernandes?

According to The Guardian via Sky Sports News, Southampton could be waving goodbye to their star midfielder before the end of the summer window.

The report states that Premier League outfit West Ham are interested in securing the services of Fernandes on a permanent deal.

It is understood that the capital-based club are preparing an opening bid for the 21-year-old, who could be handed a top-flight lifeline following relegation in May.

The Portugal youth international has seemingly emerged as a top target for West Ham, ahead of Aston Villa's Jacob Ramsey.

Hammers head coach Graham Potter is supposedly a massive admirer of Fernandes, who is fancied to bring creativity and energy to the engine room at the London Stadium.

© Iconsport

Fernandes helping the cause 

Southampton are on the verge of losing two key players at the end of this window, with both Fernandes and Dibling edging towards Premier League moves.

However - unlike teenage prodigy Dibling - midfielder Fernandes continues to play a meaningful part for the Saints amid the transfer speculation.

That being said, it is unlikely that the 21-year-old will feature on Tuesday night as Will Still's troops face League One opposition in the EFL Cup.