Crystal Palace are plotting a summer move for Southampton's midfield gem Mateus Fernandes.
As the curtains draw on this Premier League season, it's not wrong to claim that there have been many winners apart from the crowned champions Liverpool. Those teams are Nottingham Forest, Bournemouth, Newcastle United and Crystal Palace who have made their way among the present English elites.
And it won't even be surprising to see all of them competing in Europe come the beginning of the next season. As a result, their on-field ambitions will be sky high and a glimpse of that can be found in their transfer window preparations.
From Southampton's point of view, this means an increased list of admirers that can sway away their prized transfer assets.
Mateus Fernandes' transfer race heats up with Crystal Palace's arrival
Last week, the Saints saw a perfect example of it when Nottingham Forest shifted their transfer gaze towards Mateus Fernandes. Now, Alan Nixon (as mentioned by the EFL Analysis) has suggested that the newly qualified Europa League boys, Crystal Palace are also set to follow soon.
On their part, Palace can't be blamed for acquiring a playmaker who nearly handed them a humiliating Premier League defeat. As for Fernandes, he might not be aware that his inch-perfect assist that day might fetch him a possible Europa League move this early in his career.
In spite of these win-win scenarios in this speculated move, there isn't much to smile for Southampton. On paper, a £30m paycheck should entice them but negotiating closer to the £50m mark should be the goal for the Saints.
Otherwise, their opportunity cost to sell Fernandes and bring in a top-notch replacement within the earned transfer fee is huge. And Crystal Palace forking out even a modest £30m for Fernandes isn't guaranteed at this point, meaning the Saints can't count on them to boost their summer transfer warchest.
Ultimately, Southampton need the Premier League's Big Six to take notice of the young Portuguese, else keeping him seems the better option rather than underselling him.