Mateus Fernandes' transfer valuation stands at least £50m among Saints fans, and with West Ham's record signing being worth £45m, the supporters feel assured of Mateus' stay.
Running down the summer transfer timeline, it's been a long time since Southampton laughed off a £30m bid for Mateus Fernandes. But if this was humorous, the recent offers for the midfielder have simply been outrageous, especially the one of the potential Ward-Prowse swap.
Now, all this speaks loudly of what Mateus' continual means for the Saints. But isn't it surprising that despite months of the player's transfer saga, Europe is yet to hear of the prized asset's valuation from Southampton's entourage.
Well, no more as Saints fan pundit Martin Sanders, on behalf of the St. Mary's faithful, put in a rough figure of what he expects for Mateus' sale.
Speaking to Football League World amidst the midfielder's West Ham links, Sanders confidently claimed: "If he's worth that, then Fernandes is probably worth about £50 million, and I can't see anyone in the Premier League paying that. Maybe someone overseas would pay that sort of money for him, though."
Saints certain to guard Mateus Fernandes from West Ham's plans
Taking a careful look at his statement, Sanders has unofficially ruled out all English clubs from swaying Fernandes, and what's interesting? Records back his verdict, at least from the player's biggest suitors, West Ham.
That's because, going by the Hammers' record arrivals ever tally, their heftiest signing stands at £45m, falling short of Saints' £50m Mateus ask. Further intriguingly, even if they decide to break the bank for Mateus Fernandes' signing, their summer balance sheets hardly allow them to do so.
Having already brought in Jean Clair Todibo for a transfer fee worth one of their record arrivals, apart from splashing around £20m on Malick Diouf, a summer operation for Mateus feels impossible for West Ham now.
At this point, some may call Southampton's £50m demand, being just a bit more of West Ham's record, as a cheeky jab at the Hammers. But no matter what others say, Saints fans will love it, especially after their competitive fightback against another Top Flight suit in the recent friendly.