Key Takeaways:
- West Ham signed Mateus Fernandes from Southampton for more than £40m
- Fernandes made 46 appearances for Southampton last season, recording four goals and seven assists
- Graham Potter’s side have lost their opening three matches in all competitions this season
Fernandes Becomes West Ham’s Third-Biggest Signing
West Ham United have completed the acquisition of Portuguese midfielder Mateus Fernandes from Southampton, with the transfer valued at over £40m. The 21-year-old has agreed a five-year contract and ranks as the club’s third-largest signing, behind Sebastien Haller (£45m) and Lucas Paqueta (£51m).
Impact at Southampton
Fernandes arrived at Southampton from Sporting in 2024 for a fee of £15m. His productive year on the south coast has proven lucrative for the Saints, who now secure a significant profit. Over the course of his 46 appearances for Southampton, Fernandes contributed four goals and seven assists, adding dynamism and vision to their midfield.
Welcome to West Ham, Mateus Fernandes! 🤝@CorpayFX✍️✅ pic.twitter.com/26Dws5HOeZ
— West Ham United (@WestHam) August 29, 2025
| Player | Appearances | Goals | Assists | Transfer Fee to West Ham | Previous Transfer Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mateus Fernandes | 46 | 4 | 7 | £40m+ | £15m |
Player and Manager Comments
Fernandes expressed his enthusiasm at joining his new club, stating, “I’m very excited to play for West Ham. I think it’s a big step for me. It’s a big club, a massive club. The project, the stadium, the city, everything.”
Pressure Mounts on Potter After Poor Start
The Hammers will hope Fernandes provides a spark after a dismal beginning to their campaign under manager Graham Potter. They have suffered three consecutive defeats in all competitions, including a 3-0 loss to newly-promoted Sunderland in their Premier League opener, a heavy 5-1 defeat to Chelsea, and an early Carabao Cup exit at the hands of Wolves.
Further Transfer Activity
West Ham are also nearing a deal to sign Monaco midfielder Soungoutou Magassa, aged 21, for a reported fee of around £17.3m as Potter looks to reshape his squad.
