Southampton FC tipped to lose £20k-a-week star who is "absolutely class" - He only joined in 2024 | OneFootball

FLW's Southampton fan pundit discussed Mateus Fernandes' future with the club following relegation to the Championship

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

Southampton will likely be resigned to a host of significant player departures following relegation from the Premier League, which was confirmed in record time nearly a month ago in what has been a historically dismal campaign at the St Mary's Stadium.

The Saints have matched Derby County's infamous record points tally of just 11 points with five games to spare of 2024/25, and will be returning to the Championship after just one season with much work to be done.

Naturally, they will be poised to lose a number of prized assets heading into the summer transfer window. The likes of Aaron Ramsdale, Tyler Dibling and Kyle Walker-Peters have all caught the eye in spite of the Saints' struggles and surely will not be Championship players come August.

Another likely departure could be Mateus Fernandes, who has made a lasting impression on Southampton supporters ever since his £15 million arrival from Sporting CP last summer. The 20-year-old midfielder has earned plaudits for his all-action displays, often offering an otherwise-all-too-rare lease of creativity in central areas and establishing himself as a mainstay in the engine room under Russell Martin, Ivan Juric and current caretaker boss Simon Rusk.

Fernandes has registered two goals and three assists in the Premier League this term. Having been capped nine times and counting by Portugal at under-21 level, he has been tipped to return to the top-flight for the following campaign and that should really be little surprise.

Mateus Fernandes tipped to leave Southampton FC this summer

FLW asked our resident Saints fan pundit, Martin Sanders, to name and explain one player he is desperate to avoid losing this summer.

Though Simon made note of both Ramsdale and Dibling, he ultimately went with Fernandes. In Simon's view, the technically-gifted midfielder is "absolutely class" and will be back in the Premier League next season without Southampton, who seemingly have little chance of retaining his services on the south coast.

"The standout player I don't want to lose is Mateus Fernandes," Martin told FLW.

"He's a brilliant midfielder, 20 years old, he's been magnificent. He is such a hardworking player, so much quality on the ball, he's been our best outfield player, without any question.

"Ramsdale has been brilliant but he's been the best outfield player. I'd be gutted to lose him.

"I think every Southampton fan will back me on that and say the same, that Dibling will go but I don't think we'll be as gutted about him as we will be with Fernandes.

"He is absolutely class. He will play in the Premier League next season, no question."

Mateus Fernandes' estimated Southampton FC wage

In contrast to some of his other teammates at Southampton, Fernandes is not believed to be earning the kind of wage which could force the club into a sale in order to balance the books.

That, of course, could significantly aid any ambitions Southampton have of keeping him at the club. As per Capology, a site which provides estimated information on player salaries, Fernandes is earning a weekly wage of £20,000.

Fernandes, who is also under contract until the summer of 2029, has a salary which Southampton would surely be able to accommodate in the Championship, although whether he wishes to remain there is the real question.

Still aged just 20, Fernandes has adapted admirably to the demands of top-flight football in a sorely struggling side all season long and will surely fancy his chances at playing at a top level once again next term, be that in the Premier League or overseas.