Exclusive: Aston Villa, Leeds and West Ham race for Southampton £25m star Fernandes

Aston Villa, West Ham and Leeds are eyeing moves for Southampton midfielder Matheus Fernandes, sources have told Football Insider.

Fernandes, 20, was one of Southampton’s shining lights in a disappointing Premier League campaign with the all-action midfielder being named the club’s Player of the Season.

Villa, West Ham and Leeds are all keen to bolster their midfield options and are ready to offer the Portugal Under-21 international the chance to stay in the Premier League.

Southampton face a losing fight to keep hold of Fernandes following relegation, with the club valuing him around £25million.

Mateus Fernandes set to leave Southampton after relegation

Fernandes has been one of the few impressive Southampton players this season, alongside wonderkid and Tottenham target Tyler Dibling.

The Portuguese star has shown his versatility this season, featuring regularly in the centre of the park whilst also being deployed further forward in some games, and the 20-year-old has scored twice and assisted three times in 35 league matches.

The sales of both Dibling and Fernandes would help soften the financial blow of relegation for the Saints.

Simon Rusk has been in charge since the departure of Ivan Juric in April, and a new manager will likely be keen to refresh Southampton's squad as they attempt to make an immediate return to the Premier League.

But having been relegated earlier than any other side in the history of the competition, the Saints face an uphill battle next season.

Aston Villa, Leeds, West Ham look to bolster midfield positions

With Marco Asensio set to return to PSG following the culmination of his loan, and Youri Tielemans garnering interest from the Saudi Pro League, Unai Emery will need another midfielder to add to his squad.

Fernandes' ability to comfortably play in a more holding role, or behind the striker, makes him an ideal replacement for either player.

West Ham, meanwhile, are set for a massive squad overhaul, with up to 15 players set to depart Graham Potter's side this summer.

Finally, Leeds will be hoping to avoid the same fate of Southampton, and both sets of promoted sides in the last two seasons for that matter, in avoiding immediate relegation back to the Championship.

To do so, Daniel Farke's side will likely have to be aggressive in the transfer market and heavily bolster their squad, even in spite of winning the league with 100 points this season.