Crystal Palace are showing interest in a summer move for Southampton midfielder Mateus Fernandes, Portuguese newspaper A Bola has revealed (via SportWitness).
The Eagles have been named as potential suitors for the 20-year-old alongside Premier League rivals Leeds United and Nottingham Forest, and have reportedly been informed of Southampton’s demands.
The south coast club are believed to be seeking a fee in excess of £30m for Fernandes following their relegation, and it remains to be seen whether any of the interested clubs will entertain such a figure.
Fernandes is currently away with Portugal at the U21 Euros in Slovakia, though he was an unused substitute in the 5-0 win over Poland on Saturday.
Crystal Palace Eyeing Mateus Fernandes
Southampton demanding over £30m
According to A Bola, Fernandes’ former club Sporting are also monitoring the situation closely, as they are entitled to 10 per cent of any fee Southampton receive for him this summer.
The ‘exceptional’ 20-year-old is not expected to remain at St Mary’s following the Saints’ drop to the Championship, despite signing a five-year deal when he arrived last summer.
Fernandes, who ‘belongs at an elite club’, impressed in his debut Premier League season, scoring two goals and providing four assists in 36 appearances.
He also registered three further goal contributions in the EFL Cup, helping Southampton reach the quarter-finals for the first time in eight years.
Crystal Palace are now closing in on their first summer signing, having agreed a deal to bring in PSV Eindhoven goalkeeper Walter Benítez on a free transfer.
The Argentine shot-stopper reportedly underwent his Selhurst Park medical last week and will replace Matt Turner, whose season-long loan from Nottingham Forest is ending.
| Mateus Fernandes’ Southampton Stats (2024/25 Premier League) | |
| Games | 36 |
| Goals | 2 |
| Assists | 4 |
| Goal-creating actions | 7 |
| Minutes played | 2,909 |
