SAINTS have landed a bit of a surprise package as their third signing in less than a week, with not many having heard of midfielder Mateus Fernandes.

The 20 year old is quickly becoming well-known in his home country, Portugal, after a breakout season starting regularly in the Primeira Liga.

Fernandes, a Portugal under-21 international, made 35 appearances in all competitions for Estoril Praia - on loan from Sporting CP.

Saints have agreed a deal that could see them pay nearly £16million for the youngster, who bolsters manager Russell Martin's options in the middle.

Who is Mateus Fernandes? What sort of player is he? Does he improve the Saints midfield? Is he worth spending a big chunk of the budget on?

Fernandes initially rose to prominence as Sporting reached the semi-finals of the UEFA Youth League in 2022/23, beating the likes of Ajax.

Mateus Fernandes scores against Marseille in the UEFA Youth LeagueMateus Fernandes scores against Marseille in the UEFA Youth League (Image: Wyscout)

Sporting topped a group with Tottenham Hotspur, Marseille and Eintracht Frankfurt - Fernandes scoring goals against the former two. 

Mateus Fernandes scores against Tottenham in the UEFA Youth LeagueMateus Fernandes scores against Tottenham in the UEFA Youth League (Image: Wyscout)

Having only just turned 20 last month, Fernandes is seen domestically and internationally as an extremely high-potential player.

Fernandes sometimes represents Portugal's youth teams as an attacking midfielder but made his home last campaign as a left eight.

Heap map of Mateus Fernandes during the 2023/24 Primeira Liga seasonHeap map of Mateus Fernandes during the 2023/24 Primeira Liga season (Image: Wyscout)

Fernandes has taken free-kicks, corners and penalties across his first-team appearances for Sporting and Estoril, demonstrating a level of respect.

He is a five-foot-10 all-rounder who ranks in the top 10 per cent of positional peers across Europe's non-top-five premier divisions for a few categories.

They include progressive ball carries going forward plus tackles and blocks the other way, while he is just outside the top 10 for shot-creating actions.

Fernandes scored just one goal last season for Estoril - which was deflected past the goalkeeper - and averaged only 0.57 shots per 90 minutes.

Mateus Fernandes scores his only league goal for EstorilMateus Fernandes scores his only league goal for Estoril (Image: Wyscout)

Mateus Fernandes scores his only league goal for EstorilMateus Fernandes scores his only league goal for Estoril (Image: Wyscout)

He also netted twice for Portugal's under-21s during the 2023/24 campaign, with both coming in heavy wins over Belarus and Faroe Islands respectively.

Goals and assists are not his first talent, which instead shines in tight areas under pressure and could see him suit Martin's system perfectly.

Mateus Fernandes attempts to evade the tackles of two defendersMateus Fernandes attempts to evade the tackles of two defenders (Image: Wyscout)

Mateus Fernandes attempts to evade the tackles of two defendersMateus Fernandes attempts to evade the tackles of two defenders (Image: Wyscout)

Mateus Fernandes attempts to evade the tackles of two defendersMateus Fernandes attempts to evade the tackles of two defenders (Image: Wyscout)

Fernandes allies strength with silky dribbling and a quick burst of pace to get away from the challenge of opposing players.

He was fouled 2.41 times per 90 minutes last season in the Portuguese top flight - significantly higher than the statistics of his new teammates.

Positional rivals Will Smallbone and Joe Aribo were only fouled 0.53 and 1.46 times per 90 minutes in the Championship last season.

This passage shows how Fernandes utilises a turn and his powerThis passage shows how Fernandes utilises a turn and his power (Image: Wyscout)

This passage shows how Fernandes utilises a turn and his powerThis passage shows how Fernandes utilises a turn and his power (Image: Wyscout)

He gets a little bit lucky to get through a tackleHe gets a little bit lucky to get through a tackle (Image: Wyscout)

Fernandes chooses to play the pass through the inside channelFernandes chooses to play the pass through the inside channel (Image: Wyscout)

The move does not come to anything meaningfulThe move does not come to anything meaningful (Image: Wyscout)

Fernandes averaged more passes into the final third per 90 minutes last campaign (6.51) than Smallbone (5.66) and Aribo (3.62) did.

Equally, he attempted a greater number of long passes trying 3.43 per 90 minutes, compared to Smallbone's 2.47 and Aribo's 0.73.

He did have worse accuracy than his new teammates in both short and long passing, perhaps down to Southampton's typically high safe possession.

The technical quality and choice of pass can be coached but the bravery Fernandes has shown at a young age is an innate trait the club hunted. 

Against the ball, Fernandes shares similar stats with Smallbone and Aribo but blows them out of the water in total defensive duels and recoveries.

Fernandes averaged 8.78 defensive duels per 90 minutes to Smallbone's 6.5 and Aribo's 5.44 over the course of the 2023/24 campaign.

An example of Mateus Fernandes' aggressive defending in a match for Sporting earlier this monthAn example of Mateus Fernandes' aggressive defending in a match for Sporting earlier this month (Image: Wyscout)

An example of Mateus Fernandes' aggressive defending in a match for Sporting earlier this monthAn example of Mateus Fernandes' aggressive defending in a match for Sporting earlier this month (Image: Wyscout)

In Portugal, Fernandes is viewed as one of the top prospects of the generation - and Sporting are reluctant to lose him as a result.

It promises to be an exciting signing when you look through a lens with the future in focus, but does he improve Saints right now?

Martin had hoped to add reinforcements to the midfield with Charly Alcaraz, 21, and Tyler Dibling, 18, next in line for the position.

The addition of Chelsea prospect Lesley Ugochukwu, 20, on loan for the season is seen to have shored up the bottom half of the pitch.

The Frenchman offers back-up to Flynn Downes and Martin the route into a slightly different, more defensive, variant of his system.

Fernandes is about looking forward - retaining the ball in the midfield and progressing it through the third and into the strikers.

Smallbone and Aribo might keep their place in the team for now but Fernandes will surely be knocking on the door if he can further craft his raw attributes.