West Ham set to sign Mateus Fernandes in £41m deal as Graham Potter nears midfield overhaul | OneFootball

Hammers are backing under pressure manager Graham Potter after a difficult start to the season

West Ham are closing in on the signing of Mateus Fernandes from Southampton.

Fernandes has been a long-standing target for West Ham, who saw a £30million bid for the 21-year-old rejected earlier this month.

West Ham's latest offer is believed to £38m plus £3m in add-ons, with the club confident of reaching an agreement with Southampton.

Fernandes, who arrived from Sporting for £15m last summer, impressed despite a dismal campaign for Southampton, providing three goals and six assists in all competitions.

The Portugal youth international has signalled his intentions to leave the club following their relegation to the Championship and missed Southampton's Carabao Cup tie against Norwich City on Tuesday, though manager Will Still insisted it was not a transfer-related decision.

Fernandes is viewed as a player who can add balance in possession for West Ham, who have routinely struggled to control games at the start of the season.

Midfield has been a priority position for Potter, who wants to add energy and creativity in the middle of the park, and Fernandes and Magassa are seen as two young profiles who fit into his system.

With the transfer window closing next Monday, West Ham, who remain winless this season, have stepped up their efforts to bring players in as they look to back Potter despite a difficult start to the campaign