Tottenham have beaten Manchester United to the signing of Mateus Fernandes.
Tottenham Hotspur’s midfield rebuild has continued to gather momentum after the club secured an £85 million agreement to sign Mateus Fernandes earlier this week.
Mateus Fernandes is set to leave West Ham and join Spurs this summer, as Roberto De Zerbi looks to build the spine of his squad for the 2026/27 season. To agree a club-record fee with London rivals was not easy, and this demonstrates the ambition being shown by the club’s hierarchy this summer. It is clear that they do not want to see the Lilywhites flirting with relegation again.
Tottenham saw off competition from Manchester United, who were unwilling to meet West Ham’s £85 million demands for the one-cap Portuguese international. Spurs offered a better deal for the 21-year-old, with the £85m coming in guaranteed funds rather than add-ons, and West Ham, in dire need of money following relegation, quickly accepted it. Now, the latest update on the central midfielder’s transfer has emerged.
Mateus Fernandes undergoing medical at Hotspur Way
According to reputable journalist Fabrizio Romano, Mateus Fernandes is currently having a medical at Hotspur Way ahead of a move to Spurs. The midfielder from Portugal was granted permission to undergo medical tests by the Hammers.
Should Fernandes pass the medical tests successfully, he would smash the North London club’s transfer record of £65m paid for Dominic Solanke from Bournemouth in August 2024. And in that process, he’d also become the Lilywhites’ fifth signing of the summer transfer window, after the acquisitions of Andy Robertson, Marcos Senesi, Jan Paul van Hecke and Martin Dubravka.
Decision-makers inside Spurs believe Fernandes is one of the best young players in the Premier League last season, where he registered four goals and three assists in 36 appearances despite West Ham’s relegation, and he has the potential to become a top midfielder in the years to come.
A versatile customer, the former Sporting CP talent can be equally useful as both a box-to-box midfielder and deep-lying number six. He would give Tottenham greater control and composure in midfield through his passing, positioning, running power and defensive intelligence. The 21-year-old could anchor the midfield alongside Sandro Tonali, allowing more flair players to flourish while adding bite, tenacity and leadership beyond his years.
Spurs fans will be hoping now that Fernandes aces his medical tests at Hotspur Way and quickly signs on the dotted lines to become a part of De Zerbi’s exciting rebuild.