Aston Villa targeting ‘quality’ player from relegated Premier League rivals

Southampton midfielder Mateus Fernandes has emerged as a new transfer target for Aston Villa, according to reports.

Villa have been limited in their business in the summer transfer window but are reportedly looking for some value in the Portuguese player, who stood out for Southampton despite their relegation from the Premier League.

According to Whoscored.com, the 21-year-old was the Saints’ best performer in 2024/25. He appeared in 36 Premier League games with two goals and four assists. The former Sporting CP man also played four times in the Carabao Cup, contributing another one goal and two assists.

Two other teams are also monitoring the player’s situation. Newly promoted Leeds United, West Ham United and La Liga outfit Atlético Madrid have been rumoured to be keen on signing him too.

Fernandes is understandably open to returning to the English top flight but the chance to play in the Champions League with Los Cholconeros will be appealing too.

His current value, based on Transfermarkt, is only around £13 million but, according to reports from A Bola, the Saints might not let him go for lower than £30 million. His contract which runs up to June 2029, which could block his exit from Saint Mary’s.

Southampton boss Will Still remains positive about keeping Fernandes despite the rumours.

“There’s noise around him, but he’s a good player,” said Still last weekend.

“He’s shown his quality over the past year, and there is interest – we can’t lie about that. But Matty hasn’t been very well and wasn’t in the building the last three days and wasn’t here today. It’s as simple as that.

“The price has been set, and if that price comes in, there’ll be negotiations, but for the moment nothing has been met, and Matty is still here. I hope he gets better and is back in on Tuesday.”

Fernandes the hidden gem?

Fernandes is one of Portugal’s hidden gems. He is a product of the Sporting academy and made his senior debut in the 2022/23 season. He featured in 10 games, including two continental fixtures.

The first one was an away match against Tottenham Hotspur, which ended in a 1-1 draw. The second one was another game on the road against Midtylland in the Europa League play-off round, which resulted in a big 4-0 win.

In the 2023/24 season, the Olhão-born midfielder was loaned out to Estoril. He played in 36 matches, registering one goal and three assists in all competitions. While his team’s league campaign was not impressive Fernandes helped them reach the Portuguese League Cup final before losing to Sporting Braga on penalties.

The midfielder, who only joined Southampton last season, is a versatile figure. He does not only excel in the attacking build-up due to his great ability to read the game but also thrives defensively.

Fernandes signing could be a smart investment for Villa despite the fact that he has yet to receive a call-up for the Portugal senior national team.

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