A West Ham United fanbase already fearing relegation will be hoping that those Southampton links – strengthened by the signing of Mateus Fernandes – are not an omen of the very worst kind.
By completing a £40 million deal for the Sporting Lisbon academy graduate on Friday, London Stadium is now home to no fewer than three players who started the 2024/25 Premier League campaign in the red and white stripes of Southampton.
And we all know how that season turned out for the Saints.
On a more positive note, Kyle Walker-Peters and Mateus Fernandes were two of the brighter sparks of a season in which only 12 points were accumulated out of a possible 114.
Walker-Peters has won the Hammers fans over already, it seems, while an embattled Graham Potter believes Mateus Fernandes will bring a ‘different dimension’ to a midfield ripe for fresh blood.
During his introductory interview with the West Ham United website, meanwhile, Fernandes admitted that it wasn’t only Potter he spoke to before inking a five-year deal in East London.
Mateus Fernandes shares what Graham Potter told him about West Ham United plans
Fernandes reunites with Walker-Peters at his new club, while also renewing acquaintances with Maxwel Cornet.
Cornet has made a rather minimal impression at West Ham, and even less of one during a forgettable loan spell at Southampton in the first half of last season.
Perhaps the seldom-seen winger’s biggest contribution to the Hammers cause will be his role in convincing Fernandes to join a club who appeared at risk of sleepwalking towards relegation, Southampton-style, without a few pre-deadline additions.
“I think the main thing that stood out [when talking to Graham Potter] was about the style of play,” Fernandes smiles. “I want to try to play football and enjoy football. I don’t want to just run and try to score, but to try and play good football. And I think West Ham is a good fit.
“I thought what the head coach told me about the project was fantastic. He showed me everything he wanted to do, which I really liked. So yeah, I’m very happy to be here.
“I spoke with Kyle Walker-Peters before signing and he told me the guys are great,” adds the Algarve-born 21-year-old. “I played with Maxwel Cornet at Southampton last year too, and he told me many good things about the club and the city.
“I know that there are some Portuguese speakers in the squad as well, so hopefully they will help me settle in too! I’m here to help the other players, and ultimately to try and win.
“That’s the aim.”
Monaco’s Soungoutou Magassa arriving as Fernandes aims for Nottingham Forest bow
Fernandes could make his West Ham debut when the bottom-of-the-table side travel to Nottingham Forest on Sunday afternoon.
That City Ground visit will come too soon for Soungoutou Magassa, however, even if the Monaco youngster also appears to have at least one foot in East London as things stand.
Ironically, West Ham fought off Nottingham Forest to secure the France Under-21 international enforcer.
Magassa did not train with the Monaco squad on Friday either, with Hammers News having been informed that he has already undergone medical tests in London.
