Southampton star ‘considered’ by Atletico Madrid as West Ham knocked back in transfer pursuit

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La Liga giants Atletico Madrid have targeted an in-demand Southampton star this summer as Premier League sides circle.

Southampton appointed Will Still earlier this summer ahead of the 2025/26 Championship campaign, and his first weeks in charge have been centred around the transfer window.

Since Still arrived at St Mary’s, several key Southampton players have left this summer, with the likes of Kamaldeen Sulemana joining Atalanta and veteran Kyle Walker-Peters leaving as a free agent.

Still is braced for a potential Saints exodus this summer, as Tottenham remain ‘very keen’ on Tyler Dibling despite his £50m valuation.

Now, the newly appointed boss could lose another standout player this summer, with La Liga giants Atletico Madrid targeting another in-demand Southampton ace.

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Atletico Madrid target Southampton midfielder Mateus Fernandes

After scoring two goals and notching four assists in 36 Premier League outings last term for Southampton, Portuguese midfielder Mateus Fernandes has attracted great attention during the transfer window.

The classy central midfielder joined the Saints last summer from Sporting for a fee in the region of £12m, and after one ill-fated season in the top flight, Southampton value Fernandes at £30m.

21-year-old Fernandes has attracted interest from Premier League sides West Ham and newly promoted Leeds United this summer.

Crystal Palace were linked with Fernandes earlier in the window, but their £20m swoop fell below the aforementioned £30m price tag set on the Portuguese youth international’s head this summer.

Now, Spanish giants Atletico Madrid have joined the race to sign the inventive midfielder. Sun reporter Jack Rosser said on X: “Atletico Madrid one of the clubs considering Southampton’s Mateus Fernandes.

“West Ham have asked about the midfielder but not been given encouragement over a move.”

EFL Analysis exclusively revealed in June that Southampton plan to keep Fernandes despite the top flight interest, given that the Saints squad ‘quite like’ new manager Still, which could play a factor in Fernandes staying on the south coast this summer.

However, with the inevitable allure of joining Diego Simeone’s side, Southampton may struggle to keep hold of Fernandes if the 2021 La Liga champions firm up their interest with a formal bid.

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Southampton will struggle to keep hold of Mateus Fernandes

In his first season in English football, Fernandes excelled for Southampton despite the Saints’ struggles to survive relegation.

His creative and attacking flair was evident to all top flight onlookers, and it is no surprise that Atletico Madrid are looking to beat the Premier League trio for Fernandes’ signature this summer.

In EFL Analysis’ 2025/26 Championship preview, we’ve backed Southampton as title contenders alongside Ipswich Town, given the calibre of head coach Still is, and the litany of quality stars who remain at St Mary’s.

However, Still will find the task of promotion in his debut campaign far more difficult without the dynamic midfielder to call upon.