Tottenham Hotspur have completed the signing of Mateus Fernandes from West Ham United for a club-record fee of £85m. The 21-year-old midfielder has signed a contract with the North London club, with the announcement made via Tottenham’s official website.
The transfer represents a significant statement of intent from Tottenham, backed by new investment from the Lewis family, following a narrowly avoided relegation battle last season. The club has already secured deals for Jan Paul van Hecke, Andy Robertson, and Marcos Senesi this summer, and are now looking to further overhaul their squad.
Fernandes expressed his excitement about joining Spurs, stating the Head Coach was a key factor in his decision. He highlighted a shared footballing philosophy, emphasizing a desire for a strong, energetic team focused on winning every game. Sporting Director Johan Lange praised Fernandes’ technical ability, intelligence, and maturity, believing Tottenham provides the ideal environment for his continued development.
Head Coach Roberto De Zerbi outlined three key qualities Fernandes will bring to the team: quality on the ball, intensity, and intelligence. De Zerbi noted Fernandes’ experience in the Premier League and his ability to perform under pressure, progress the ball, and work hard for the team. The manager believes Tottenham is the perfect place for the player to continue his growth.
According to transfer correspondent Graeme Bailey, Tottenham are also close to finalizing a £100m deal for Sandro Tonali from Newcastle United, which would briefly surpass Fernandes’ fee as the club’s record signing. Further targets include Bournemouth’s Eli Junior Kroupi, with Tottenham reportedly willing to meet a valuation of over £80m, and AC Milan winger Rafael Leão, with talks underway regarding a €50m (£43m) deal. The pursuit of Kroupi is expected to be competitive, with interest from Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain, while Leão’s expiring contract could facilitate negotiations with Milan.
