Spurs are set to smash their transfer record after reaching an agreement with West Ham for Portugal midfielder Mateus Fernandes.
Tottenham Hotspur are on the verge of completing the biggest signing in the club’s history after agreeing an £85 million deal with West Ham United for midfielder Mateus Fernandes.
The Portugal international is expected to undergo a medical before finalising his move to north London, with Tottenham beating Manchester United in the race for one of the Premier League’s most sought-after young midfielders.
Manager Roberto De Zerbi has been heavily backed in the transfer market following Tottenham’s narrow escape from relegation last season. The Italian coach is determined to reshape his squad and views Fernandes as a key addition to strengthen his midfield ahead of the new campaign.
Tottenham have already reinforced their defence by signing Jan Paul van Hecke from Brighton for £52 million and bringing in Marcos Senesi on a free transfer from Bournemouth. The arrival of Fernandes would represent the headline signing of an ambitious summer rebuild.
Fernandes joined West Ham from Southampton for £38 million only last year but quickly established himself as one of the club’s standout performers despite their relegation to the Championship. His displays attracted interest from Manchester United, Arsenal and Real Madrid, but Tottenham were the only club prepared to meet West Ham’s full valuation.
Manchester United withdrew from negotiations after deciding the financial package exceeded their valuation of the midfielder, leaving Spurs with a clear path to secure the deal.
The transfer will also set a new record for the highest fee ever received by a Championship club. West Ham hope the sale will provide a major financial boost after reporting losses of more than £104 million, while Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky is expected to inject additional investment after increasing his ownership stake.
More departures could follow at the London Stadium. Netherlands winger Crysencio Summerville continues to attract interest from Manchester United and Chelsea, while captain Jarrod Bowen remains on the radar of Aston Villa, Everton, Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea.
Defenders Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Jean-Clair Todibo are also expected to leave as West Ham prepare for a major rebuild following relegation.
For Tottenham, the capture of Fernandes represents another statement of intent as De Zerbi looks to assemble a squad capable of climbing the Premier League table after a difficult campaign.
