West Ham United’s start to the Premier League season has been nothing short of shambolic, and pressure is already ramping up on Graham Potter.
However, the Hammers board are backing their manager. They have agreed a deal to sign Southampton midfielder Mateus Fernandes for a fee of roughly £43.2 million, according to Florian Plettenberg.
West Ham United Agree Deal For Mateus Fernandes
The German journalist reports that the total fee could end up being even higher than the initial value, which is set to make Fernandes the second most expensive sale in Championship history. Southampton have also inserted a 15% sell-on clause into the deal.
The Olhão-born man started his career at Sporting CP, initially playing for the club’s B-team in the third tier.
He made his first team debut during the 2022/23 season, in which he went on to score once and create one assist in seven appearances.
A loan to Estoril followed, thus allowing Fernandes to get regular minutes in men’s football. He played 28 games, and just over 2,200 minutes, in the Portuguese top flight, scoring one goal.
Last campaign, he left Portugal for the first time and moved to England with Southampton. The versatile midfielder made 42 appearances for the Saints, scoring three goals and providing six assists as he shone in an incredibly poor Southampton team.
The 21-year-old created the joint-most chances and second-most big chances, whilst also making the third-most successful dribbles and joint-most tackles per 90, thereby showing his well-rounded midfield play.
Will His Arrival Be Enough To Save Graham Potter?
Graham Potter has picked up just one point per game since he was appointed as West Ham’s manager in January. This means that, over the course of an entire season, the Irons would be right in the midst of a relegation battle, a far cry from their ambitions of regular European football.
Admittedly, the Englishman has not been backed in the transfer market as much as his predecessor, Julen Lopetegui. But the Irons have still made a number of shrewd additions, and their squad possesses an abundance of quality.
They are also paying a hefty fee for Fernandes, who will need to instantly hit the ground running in East London.
The Irons have conceded a staggering 11 goals in their three competitive games thus far, meaning Fernandes may be more focused on adding steel to their midfield in the short run.
However, his performances at Southampton last year proved that he is more than capable of being a well-rounded midfielder who can also offer a creative threat and a few goals.
As for Potter, he may only have five games, until the October international break, to prove his worth at the London Stadium.