Tottenham secures Fernandes deal
Tottenham has reached an agreement to sign Mateus Fernandes, the Portugal midfielder from West Ham United, in a deal valued at £85m. This transfer fee is understood to be guaranteed, without additional add-ons. The north London club successfully outmaneuvered Manchester United, who were reportedly unwilling to match the fee agreed upon by Spurs. Fernandes has been granted permission to undergo a medical examination with Tottenham.
The acquisition of Fernandes represents a significant move for Tottenham, particularly after their £80m bid for Sandro Tonali was rejected by Newcastle. Fernandes, despite experiencing consecutive Premier League relegations, has been a highly sought-after player this summer, attracting interest from both Manchester United and Paris St-Germain.
Competition from Manchester United
Manchester United had also been actively pursuing Fernandes, with his agent, Jorge Mendes, engaging in discussions with both Tottenham and Manchester United. However, United maintained their position of only acquiring players at what they deemed to be the correct valuation and who genuinely desired to play for the club. Reports indicated that Fernandes’s preference was not entirely clear throughout the negotiation process.
Manchester United ultimately decided against matching the £85m offer put forth by Spurs for Fernandes. The club’s decision-makers believed their stance on player valuation had proven effective in the previous season, leading to the acquisition of suitable players at appropriate prices. United were also not convinced about Fernandes’s strong desire to join their club.
The priority for Manchester United at Old Trafford is to strengthen their central midfield. They have already agreed a £35m deal with Atalanta for Ederson, though his arrival has been postponed 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 departure 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 departures or arrivals.
A planned sale of Manuel Ugarte has been put on hold following a serious injury he sustained while on World Cup duty with Uruguay. Meanwhile, Netherlands striker Joshua Zirkzee remains with the club, and rumours regarding the exit of midfielder Mason Mount have been dismissed by sources.
Tottenham’s transfer strategy and player profile
Tottenham has demonstrated a rapid start in the summer transfer market, having already secured four new players. Last week, they finalised a deal to sign goalkeeper Martin Dubravka on a free transfer, effective 1 July, upon the expiry of his contract with Burnley. The 37-year-old Slovakia keeper is one of several defensive reinforcements.
Other defensive additions include Marcos Senesi and Andy Robertson, both joining on free transfers from Bournemouth and Liverpool respectively. Netherlands defender Jan Paul van Hecke was also signed from Brighton for £52m. Following these defensive acquisitions, Tottenham’s focus shifted to strengthening their central midfield, leading to their pursuit of Fernandes after difficulties with the Tonali transfer.
Decision-makers at West Ham consider Fernandes to be among the top young players in the Premier League from last season, with potential to reach the level of Declan Rice, who was sold to Arsenal for £105m in 2023. This perspective highlights the high regard in which Fernandes is held.
Fernandes’s playing style is characterised by his strong tackling ability and high-intensity running. According to Simon Rusk, who previously worked with Fernandes at Southampton, his tackling statistics are notably high, a feature that was evident early in his career. His capacity for high-intensity running also places him among the top Premier League midfielders for distance covered.
While at Southampton, Fernandes was initially viewed as a more advanced player, often deployed as a number 10. However, through discussions, he expressed his preference for an all-round midfield role, specifically as a number 8, which aligns with the defensive aspects of his game. His desire to run and be actively involved across the pitch was a key characteristic. West Ham also recognised this preference, utilising him primarily in a hybrid role between a number 6 and a number 8 during the recent season.
This deal for Fernandes is understood to surpass Tottenham’s previous transfer record of £65m, paid for Dominic Solanke in August 2024. The club’s hierarchy has shown a clear intent to make a significant statement in the current transfer window, particularly after missing out on several key targets last summer.
The agreement for Mateus Fernandes marks a substantial investment by Tottenham in their midfield, with the player now set to undergo his medical examination.
Source: bbc.co.uk