Tottenham have accelerated their pursuit of West Ham midfielder Mateus Fernandes after seeing an £80m bid for Newcastle's Sandro Tonali rejected last week, as they look to rebuild a squad that narrowly avoided relegation.
The 21-year-old Portugal international is valued at £80m by West Ham, with talks ongoing and progressing positively, leaving Spurs optimistic an agreement can be reached. Fernandes has also been linked with Manchester United and Paris St-Germain.
“Tottenham target West Ham's £80m Fernandes after failed £80m bid for Newcastle's Tonali.”
The failed move for Tonali underscores the financial gulf between the clubs: Spurs generated £230m more income than Newcastle in 2024-25, allowing them to offer far superior wages despite both sides enduring disappointing seasons – Tottenham finished just above the drop zone, while Newcastle ended 12th.
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe admitted the struggle to attract players, saying: "It was very difficult to attract the players that we wanted, that we felt could really make a difference to the team. I certainly don't think that challenge is going to be easier. It's going to be harder." The Magpies have already lost Alexander Isak to Liverpool for £125m and Anthony Gordon to Barcelona for £69m.
Spurs have made a fast start to the summer window, signing four players already. On Wednesday, they confirmed the arrival of goalkeeper Martin Dubravka on a free transfer from Burnley, effective 1 July. The 37-year-old Slovakian international joins fellow free agents Marcos Senesi and Andy Robertson, as well as Netherlands defender Jan Paul van Hecke, who cost £52m from Brighton.