Leeds ‘to blow wage offers away’ to seal Fernandes transfer – Exclusive
Leeds United may hold the advantage when it comes to signing Mateus Fernandes.
The Southampton star is expected to leave the relegated side this summer rather than staying and playing in the Championship.
The Elland Road outfit are interested in the 20-year-old but face competition from the likes of Aston Villa and Crystal Palace for his signature.
Leeds backed to win race for Fernandes
It will be a tough sell for Daniel Farke, given that the clubs in contention for the Portugal Under-21 star with Leeds are established Premier League teams.
However, iconic commentator Ian Darke believes that the Whites may hold the advantage in the race for the Saints star’s signature despite the interest from top-flight rivals.
Speaking exclusively to MOT Leeds News, asked whether Farke’s side could win the race, he said: “Only if they offer more money I think and line his pocket better.
“If you are him and I think Fernandes, he shone in a very bad Southampton team, I was quite impressed with him despite all the problems they had.
“When you watched them play, he was working his socks off, trying to make stuff happen but he just wasn’t getting much response from most of the players around him.
“I can see why people might want to pick him up, the club is going down but I don’t think he is, he is staying in the Premier League, it is just a question of where?
“I think he would be a very fine signing for Leeds but they are going to have to sit down, I mean, their argument might be, you are going to be in the team here.
“He might look at somewhere like Villa and Palace and think I am just going to be in the squad there, am I going to make the eleven there?
“That might be the selling point for Leeds to get him, would he be a good signing, yes.”
Fernandes would be a great addition for Leeds
The Portuguese ace notched two goals and four assists despite playing in a side that looked destined to break Derby County’s record as the worst in the history of the division.
| Stats (Premier League) | Fernandes |
| Matches | 36 |
| Goals | 2 |
| Assists | 4 |
| Minutes played | 2,919 |
Brenden Aaronson, Farke’s main option in the number 10 role is widely inconsistent and notched a lower rate of contributions than the Saints star in a better team in the 2022/23 campaign.
In a huge summer for Farke and the 49ers Enterprises group, with the Peacocks facing a battle for survival, Fernandes could well be the difference maker.