SAINTS are hopeful of concluding signing 20 year old Sporting Lisbon midfielder Mateus Fernandes, in a deal reportedly worth up to £16million.

The Portugal under-21 international is a product of Sporting's successful academy and has made 10 first-team appearances for his side.

Fernandes spent the 2023/24 season on loan at Portuguese first division outfit Estoril Praia, where he recorded a goal and three assists in 35 matches.

Sporting manager Ruben Amorim has confirmed that Fernandes is likely to depart the club this summer, after missing their most recent fixture.

Portuguese news outlet A Bola reported that negotiations between Saints and Sporting are advanced, with a fixed initial fee of 15 million Euros.

The deal is then said to include up to four million Euros in bonuses, taking the overall package up to more than £16million.

Saints had been in the market for an attacking midfielder as they pursued Celtic's Matt O'Riley - with Celtic putting a £25million+ price tag on him.

The Daily Echo approached sources to confirm the news, with Saints hopeful of landing the youngster in the final weeks of the summer transfer window.