In what could be one of the most shocking and strategic moves of the summer transfer window, Juventus are reportedly on the verge of making a massive move to sign Southampton – and the Bianconeri faithful have every reason to get excited. With a private jet tracked en route to London and whispers growing louder around the club’s training ground in Turin, the signs are pointing to something huge.
Mateus Fernandes, a 20-year-old midfield dynamo who made waves in the Premier League despite Southampton’s relegation, is now firmly in the sights of the Old Lady. Juventus are said to be preparing a formal bid that could see Fernandes switch the south coast of England for the glamour of Turin — a move that would reflect Juve’s new direction under Igor Tudor.
Here’s why this transfer is generating so much buzz — and why Mateus Fernandes could become the heartbeat of Juventus’s midfield for years to come.
🔥 FROM SOUTHAMPTON TO SUPERSTAR? JUVENTUS PLOT AMBITIOUS MIDFIELD REVOLUTION
Let’s start with the basics: Mateus Fernandes is not just any 20-year-old midfielder. A graduate of Sporting CP’s famed academy — the same that produced Cristiano Ronaldo, João Moutinho, and Bruno Fernandes — the young Portuguese talent caught Southampton’s eye last year. The Premier League side snapped him up for around £15 million in 2024. One year later, his performances have convinced Juventus that he’s ready to make the leap to one of Europe’s elite clubs.
Despite Southampton’s poor campaign in the Premier League, Fernandes stood out with his energetic performances, composure on the ball, and a footballing IQ well beyond his age. He was one of the few bright sparks in an otherwise forgettable season for the Saints — and now, Juventus want him as a cornerstone of their midfield rebuild.
According to sources close to the club, Juventus are ready to offer in the region of £28 million for the youngster. And with Southampton relegated and facing financial strain, the timing could be perfect for Juve to swoop in and get their man.
✈️ FLIGHT TRACKED TO LONDON: SIGNS OF SOMETHING BIG
Football Twitter exploded on Tuesday evening after eagle-eyed fans noticed a private jet flying from Turin to London. Within minutes, rumors began to circulate: could this be Juventus negotiating for Mateus Fernandes? Is his agent about to meet the club to finalize personal terms?
Insiders have hinted that Fernandes has already agreed in principle to a long-term deal with Juventus, and that the only thing left is for the two clubs to finalize the transfer fee and structure.
Private flights have become a staple of modern football transfer windows. When Juventus fans see a jet headed to London during the final days of June — and when it coincides with reports linking the club to one of the Premier League’s most promising midfielders — it’s not hard to connect the dots.
And make no mistake: Juventus aren’t tracking this plane just for show. This is serious.
⚙️ WHY MATEUS FERNANDES? JUVE’S MASTERPLAN UNDER IGOR TUDOR
Manager Igor Tudor is wasting no time stamping his identity on this Juventus squad. With big names like Dušan Vlahović rumored to be heading out the door and question marks over midfield stalwarts like Adrien Rabiot and Weston McKennie, Juventus are in the middle of a full-blown transformation.
Mateus Fernandes is exactly the kind of player Tudor wants: young, technically gifted, tactically disciplined, and full of energy. Fernandes is comfortable sitting deep, dictating play, or driving forward into space. His ability to operate as both a deep-lying playmaker and a box-to-box enforcer gives Juventus something they’ve sorely lacked in recent seasons: midfield versatility.
Fans have grown tired of Juventus’s slow, predictable build-up play. Fernandes could change that. He’s a player who looks forward first, doesn’t shy away from tight spaces, and thrives in high-intensity systems.
🔄 A POTENTIAL CHAIN REACTION: WHO COULD MAKE WAY?
Juventus don’t make major signings without balancing the books — and Fernandes’s arrival could set off a series of domino moves.
One of those dominoes could be Manuel Locatelli, who has struggled for consistency. Another is Weston McKennie, whose stock remains relatively high in the Premier League. Either could be moved on to make room for Fernandes, both tactically and financially.
Additionally, the rumored departure of Dušan Vlahović (potentially to fund a move for Viktor Gyökeres or Victor Osimhen) could signal a broader strategy. Juventus might be refocusing their transfer policy on high-upside young talent, with Fernandes leading that charge.
📈 THE NUMBERS THAT PROVE FERNANDES IS THE REAL DEAL
Forget the fact that he played in a relegated side — Mateus Fernandes was statistically one of the most complete midfielders under the age of 21 in Europe last season:
- Pass completion rate: 87%
- Key passes per 90: 1.9
- Tackles + interceptions per 90: 4.1
- Progressive carries: 3.5 per game
- Pressures per 90: 18.7
These numbers put him in elite company. And with better teammates around him at Juventus, there’s every reason to believe he could explode onto the European stage.
🇵🇹 THE NEXT BRUNO FERNANDES? OR SOMETHING EVEN BIGGER?
It’s no coincidence that fans are already drawing comparisons between Mateus Fernandes and Bruno Fernandes. Both are Sporting CP academy graduates. Both moved abroad at a young age. Both play in that hybrid role between midfield general and attacking orchestrator.
But some pundits believe Mateus may end up being even more complete than Bruno. While Bruno is known for his final-third impact, Mateus has shown signs of becoming a true two-way midfielder. Think Frenkie de Jong, with a bit more grit.
If Juventus play their cards right — and if Tudor deploys him correctly — Fernandes could become the face of the club for the next decade.
💣 JUVE’S STATEMENT OF INTENT: “NO MORE WAITING AROUND”
This isn’t just a transfer. It’s a statement.
After years of stop-start recruitment, budget shopping, and tactical inconsistency, Juventus finally appear ready to return to their old ways: outsmarting the market, getting in early on elite talent, and building a squad that can challenge on all fronts.
Signing Mateus Fernandes would send a clear message to the rest of Serie A — and to Europe:
Juventus are back. And they’re building something special.
⏳ DONE DEAL IMMINENT? FINAL DETAILS BEING IRONED OUT
With negotiations reportedly in the final stages, all signs point to this deal being wrapped up within days. Juventus are expected to submit a formal offer before the weekend, with the medical and official presentation likely to take place by early next week.
Southampton are resigned to losing Fernandes — but they’ll want top dollar. Juventus, for their part, know they can’t afford to let this opportunity slip away. It’s now or never.
🧠 FINAL VERDICT: A TRANSFER MASTERSTROKE IN THE MAKING
If this deal goes through — and all evidence suggests it will — Juventus will have pulled off a masterstroke. Signing a 20-year-old, Premier League-proven midfielder with sky-high potential is exactly the kind of bold, strategic move the club needs.
In Mateus Fernandes, Juventus aren’t just signing a talented young player. They’re signing the future of their midfield — and maybe, just maybe, the future face of the club.
Keep your eyes on the skies. The jet’s already landed. Now it’s just a matter of time. 🛬🇵🇹⚪⚫
