West Ham Nears £32m Deal for Southampton Midfielder Fernandes

West Ham United have submitted an improved offer, reportedly around £32 million including add-ons, to sign Southampton midfielder Mateus Fernandes, following the rejection of their initial bid. Despite West Ham's increased offer, Southampton remains firm in their valuation, reportedly seeking between £50-60 million for the 21-year-old Portuguese talent, who is under contract for four more years and viewed as a key asset in their Championship campaign. West Ham's manager Graham Potter is keen to bolster his midfield options after a disappointing season start, with Fernandes seen as a creative and energetic addition to address midfield vulnerabilities. Southampton boss Will Still acknowledged ongoing negotiations but expects developments before the transfer deadline. Alongside Fernandes, West Ham is also pursuing other midfield targets, including Barcelona's Marc Casado and Chelsea's Andrey Santos, while Southampton shows no urgency to sell amid their push for Premier League promotion. Fernandes has continued to perform well for Southampton, highlighted by a recent match-winning goal in the Carabao Cup and solid league appearances.