Tottenham Hotspur have completed the signing of midfielder Mateus Fernandes from West Ham for a club-record fee of £85m, after seeing off competition from Manchester United who were unwilling to match the guaranteed sum.
The 21-year-old Portuguese international, who has made 72 Premier League starts over the past two seasons despite both Southampton and West Ham being relegated, becomes Spurs’ fifth signing of a fast-starting summer window. He follows goalkeeper Martin Dubravka and defenders Marcos Senesi, Andy Robertson and Jan Paul van Hecke through the door.
“Tottenham sign Mateus Fernandes for a club-record £85m, beating Manchester United to the midfielder.”
Spurs head coach Roberto de Zerbi said: ‘I've admired Mateus for a long time because he combines quality on the ball with the intensity and intelligence that are so important in the way we want to play. Despite his age, he already has good experience in the Premier League and has shown quality and consistency at this level.’
Fernandes, who has played once for Portugal but is not part of their World Cup squad, revealed de Zerbi was the key reason he chose Spurs over United. ‘I'm very excited for this next step,’ he said. ‘Spurs is a massive club and the head coach was a key part of why I have decided to join. When we spoke, it was very special. We look at football in the same way – going onto the pitch as a strong team, with fight and energy, to try to win every game.’
The move came after Spurs had a bid for Sandro Tonali rejected by Newcastle, but they have since agreed a £100m fee for the Italy midfielder.
Meanwhile, Brighton have agreed a club-record £46m deal – potentially rising to £50m with add-ons – to sign Croatia defender Luka Vuskovic from Tottenham. The 19-year-old, currently at the World Cup, will have a medical when his campaign ends. He will replace Jan Paul van Hecke, who is moving in the opposite direction for £52m after just one year left on his Brighton contract. Vuskovic made 30 appearances on loan at Hamburg last season, scoring six Bundesliga goals.
Everton have also been active, completing the signing of Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney for an initial £16.5m that could rise to £25m with add-ons including the 24-year-old playing for England. Hackney, named Championship player of the year last season, has signed a five-year contract. ‘As soon as I spoke to the manager, as soon as I knew Everton were interested, it was always going to be Everton,’ he said. ‘It's such a big club, with the new stadium and the direction it's going in. I just wanted to be part of that.’
Everton manager David Moyes said: ‘Hayden is a promising young player who we've been tracking for some time, and I'm looking forward to working with him. He's an England Under-21 international who will provide greater competition in midfield.’
The Merseyside club are also close to signing Chelsea winger Tyrique George.