Tottenham secures Fernandes amid competition
Tottenham has reached an agreement to acquire midfielder Mateus Fernandes from West Ham in a deal valued at £85m. This move comes after the North London club reportedly outmanoeuvred Manchester United, who were also pursuing the Portugal international but were unwilling to match the fee agreed upon by Spurs. The transfer fee is a guaranteed £85m, with no additional add-ons.
The 21-year-old midfielder was a key target for Tottenham, particularly after their £80m bid for Sandro Tonali was rejected by Newcastle. Spurs have shown significant activity in the transfer market this summer, having already secured four new players.
Last week, Tottenham also agreed to sign goalkeeper Martin Dubravka on a free transfer once his contract with Burnley concludes on 1 July. The 37-year-old Slovakia international is one of several defensive reinforcements, joining Marcos Senesi and Andy Robertson, both signed on free transfers from Bournemouth and Liverpool respectively. Additionally, Netherlands defender Jan Paul van Hecke was acquired from Brighton for £52m.
Despite experiencing consecutive relegations from the Premier League with West Ham, Fernandes has attracted considerable interest this summer, with both Manchester United and Paris St-Germain reportedly showing interest in his services.
Manchester United’s transfer strategy
Manchester United had also been actively pursuing Fernandes, but their approach is to only sign players at what they consider to be the correct valuation. They reportedly liked Fernandes but believed their patient transfer strategy had been successful in the past, allowing them to acquire players at favourable prices.
Reports suggest that United were not convinced of Fernandes’ strong desire to play for their club. His agent, Jorge Mendes, was in discussions with both Tottenham and Manchester United, and Fernandes was understood to be open to various options.
The priority for Manchester United at Old Trafford remains strengthening their central midfield. They have already agreed a £35m deal for Ederson from Atalanta, though his arrival has been delayed due to a late call-up to the Brazil World Cup squad.
United’s players are scheduled to return for pre-season training on 9 July. Apart from the departures of out-of-contract duo Casemiro and Tyrell Malacia, Michael Carrick’s squad largely remains unchanged from the end of last season, with no other significant arrivals or departures confirmed.
The club’s plans to sell Manuel Ugarte have been put on hold following a serious injury he sustained while on World Cup duty with Uruguay. Meanwhile, Netherlands striker Joshua Zirkzee remains at the club, and rumours regarding the exit of midfielder Mason Mount have been dismissed by sources.
Fernandes’ potential and playing style
West Ham officials reportedly view Fernandes as one of the most promising young players in the Premier League from last season, with the potential to reach the calibre of Declan Rice, who was transferred to Arsenal for £105m in 2023.
Tottenham’s determination to secure Fernandes highlights their desire for a significant signing this transfer window, especially after missing out on several key targets last summer, including Bryan Mbeumo, who joined Manchester United.
According to those familiar with his playing style, Fernandes is known for his tough tackling and high-intensity running. Simon Rusk, who previously worked with Fernandes at Southampton, noted that his tackling statistics are consistently high, a feature he observed as a strength in the player’s game.
Fernandes is also among the top 10 Premier League midfielders for distance covered, indicating his strong work rate. While he was initially seen as a more advanced player, even a number 10, during his time at Southampton, he expressed a preference for an all-round midfield role, specifically as a number 8.
This preference aligns with the defensive aspects of his game, as he desired to be actively involved across the pitch. West Ham also recognised this desire, primarily utilising him in a hybrid role between a number 6 and a number 8 during the recently concluded season.
Fernandes has been granted permission to undergo his medical examination at Spurs.
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Source: bbc.com
Adam Rutherford is a Senior Football Correspondent at News-UK. He spent his early career filing match reports across the North West. He focuses on the Premier League, the EFL and the England national side and is known for clear, deadline-driven reporting. He holds a degree in Sports Journalism from Manchester Metropolitan University and completed an NCTJ diploma. Now based in Manchester, he coaches a youth team and watches grassroots football. “Every transfer window hides a dozen real stories.”
