Don Goodman believes no rising Premier League team should meet Southampton's Mateus Fernandes' demands, which must excite Juventus for a swoop away.
Southampton fans will admit that the recent updates hint at empowering the club's transfer budget with flops like Sulemana tipped to leave soon. But it goes without saying, that they will still need an ambitious departure, for someone like Mateus Fernandes.
Now, talking of that possibility, the latest Juventus transfer update must've come bittersweet for Saints fans. And intriguingly, the Mateus Fernandes' departure saga is en route to take another blow now.
That's because of Championship pundit Don Goodman's recent comments, which discourage English clubs against the Saints' talent.
Recently, speaking to Football League World, Goodman cautioned the up-and-rising sides from buying in Mateus Fernandes, saying: "He played a lot of football for someone so young - just 20, nearly 21. Having said all of that, £30 million is a huge fee, really, for clubs like Leeds, Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest."
Without a doubt, this statement will frustrate all Saints fans wishing for the club to bag a hefty fee for Fernandes. Yet, surprisingly to Southampton's interest, it's not over for the club and the fans.
Southampton still favourites to win Mateus Fernandes transfer saga
In case you remember, we haven't heard anything on Shea Charles' rumours since Graeme Bailey's constructive criticism of him. If that happens with Goodman's recent words, it can help the Saints unknowingly.
That's because with English clubs moving out of Fernandes' saga, Juventus must have their troops armed for a swoop. Having been lingering on the sideline, this can be a game-changer for convincing the Serie A club to make an ambitious move for the Saints talent.
Interestingly, even in the worst scenario, where Juventus falls short of Southampton's valuation, an outcome falls positive for the Saints.
With a big tag associated with Mateus, it will enhance the youngster's morale for how high Southampton rates his stay. Needless to say, it will fuel him up for a memorable next season, one he has been wishing for.
In a nutshell, like the previous times, Don Goodman's message is again a necessary evil for Southampton to conclude their Mateus Fernandes' saga. Hopefully, it affects the club the same way.