Nottingham Forest are showing interest in Southampton’s Mateus Fernandes, with the Portuguese midfielder’s transfer preference now revealed.
Forest have held talks over a deal for Fernandes as a move for a central midfielder is one of Nuno Espírito Santo’s remaining priorities in the transfer window.
Despite Southampton’s struggles in the Premier League last season, Fernandes showed enough to prove that, at 21, he has a bright future in the top division, leading to both Forest and West Ham showing interest.
Capable of playing deeper and more advanced in midfield, Fernandes would also provide cover for Morgan Gibbs-White, but the Reds may have difficulty convincing the Saints star to make the switch to the City Ground.
Mateus Fernandes has clear preference on Southampton exit
Nuno Espírito Santo wants five more signings to help Forest compete in European football this season, with the business picking up after Dan Ndoye signed for Forest.
Fernandes would be an ideal addition given his midfield versatility, but according to sources close to West Ham’s pursuit of the 21-year-old, the Premier League is unlikely to be his destination.
It’s claimed that Fernandes, along with his agent, would prefer a move away from English football after just one season with Southampton.
Fernandes arrived in England from Sporting CP having previously only played in Portugal, perhaps suggesting that Southampton’s torrid season has put him off the idea of the Premier League entirely.
A blow for Forest, then, but perhaps there may be a way to convince Fernandes’ agent that a move to the City Ground is best for his continued development, considering that another of his clients is clearly enjoying his time in Garibaldi red.
Mateus Fernandes shares an agent with a key Forest figure
Agents will, of course, want what’s best for their individual clients, but seeing another enjoy success somewhere must make them pay more attention to a particular destination.
According to Transfermarkt, Fernandes is represented by Gestifute, unsurprisingly based out of Portugal and boasting an array of talent linked with the nation.
It’s not just players, though, as Gestifute also represent Espírito Santo, a relationship that seems to date back to when he was a player as well. Given that Espírito Santo signed a new Forest contract this summer, it’s fair to imagine that Gestifute and Evangelos Marinakis have a working relationship.
Therefore, if they already have a happy client and a relationship with the owner, perhaps Forest may actually be the perfect place for the agency to send Fernandes.
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