Tottenham have completed the signing of midfielder Mateus Fernandes from West Ham for a club-record fee of £85m, beating Manchester United to the Portugal international’s signature. The 21-year-old becomes Spurs’ fifth signing of the summer, joining Andy Robertson, Marcos Senesi, Martin Dubravka and Jan Paul van Hecke at the north London club.
“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,” said Spurs head coach Roberto De Zerbi. “Despite his age, he already has good experience in the Premier League and has shown quality and consistency at this level.”
“Tottenham sign Mateus Fernandes for club-record £85m; Brighton land Luka Vuskovic for £46m; Everton wrap up Hayden Hackney deal.”
Fernandes, who scored four goals in 38 appearances for West Ham last season before the Hammers were relegated, said the head coach was a key factor in his decision. “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.”
While Spurs were finalising that deal, they also agreed a £100m fee for Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali after an earlier bid for Sandro Tonali was rejected. Meanwhile, Brighton have agreed a club-record £46m deal with Tottenham for Croatia defender Luka Vuskovic, a fee that could rise to £50m with add-ons. The 19-year-old will have a medical after Croatia’s World Cup campaign ends. Vuskovic, who made 30 appearances on loan at Hamburg last season, will replace Jan Paul van Hecke – ironically moving in the opposite direction after Spurs agreed to pay £52m for the Netherlands international.
Elsewhere, Everton completed the signing of Hayden Hackney from Middlesbrough in a deal that could rise to £25m. The 24-year-old Championship player of the year signed a five-year contract after weeks of negotiations. “As soon as I spoke to the manager, as soon as I knew Everton were interested, it was always going to be Everton,” Hackney said. “It’s such a big club, with the new stadium and the direction it’s going in.” Everton manager David Moyes added: “Hayden is a promising young player who we’ve been tracking for some time.”