Tottenham win race to sign Mateus Fernandes from West Ham

Tottenham Hotspur, under new manager Roberto De Zerbi, have already led a ruthless campaign on the transfer market, and has now reportedly won the race ahead of rivals Manchester United to sign West Ham midfielder Mateus Fernandes.

Mateus Fernandes has been the subject of intense interest from top Premier League clubs, with United well known to have shown keen interest in the Portuguese midfielder.

Spurs’ ruthless transfer spree under Italian tactician De Zerbi has seen the London side make an immediate impact in the transfer market, strengthening vital areas of the team.

The North London club, since the former Marseille and Brighton’s appointment in March, has led Spurs to secure the signature of Marcos Senesi (Bournemouth), Jan Paul van Hecke (Brighton), Andy Robertson (Liverpool), and Martin Dubravka (Newcastle).

They have now moved ahead of the Red Devils, according to reports from journalist David Ornstein of The Athletic, to agree a staggering fee of of €98 million for Fernandes.

Meanwhile, the Hammers had insisted on keeping the 21-year-old and slapped a price tag of more than €90 million on the 21-year-old.

Reports last week suggested Spurs were prepared to meet West Ham’s substantial asking price as part of an ambitious squad rebuild following back-to-back 17th-place finishes.

The development prompted United to reopen discussions with both Fernandes and West Ham in an attempt to hijack the move, but their late intervention ultimately proved unsuccessful.

Tottenham have also offered the Portugal international an improved contract, understood to be more lucrative than Manchester United’s proposal, in a bid to persuade the midfielder to turn down a move to Old Trafford.

Fernandes will become their fourth signing if all paperwork is completed, while discussions continue over a move for Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali, who remains a key target despite the impending signing of Fernandes.

Tottenham are poised for one of the most ambitious transfer windows in their recent history, with the club ready to commit over €200m to De Zerbi’s rebuild after he secured Premier League survival at the end of last season.