Tottenham have accelerated their interest in West Ham's Mateus Fernandes after a rejected bid for Newcastle's Sandro Tonali, with the north London club optimistic they can land the Portugal international in a deal worth around £80m.
The 21-year-old Fernandes is viewed as a primary target, with talks ongoing and progressing positively, according to sources. West Ham value the midfielder at about £80m, a figure that has also attracted interest from Manchester United and Paris St-Germain.
“Tottenham target West Ham's £80m Mateus Fernandes after Newcastle reject £80m Tonali bid.”
Last week, Tottenham had a bid of approximately £80m rejected by Newcastle for Italy international Tonali. Spurs boss Roberto de Zerbi is a long-time admirer of his compatriot, but with Tonali having four years left on his contract — signed after a 10-month ban for breaching betting rules — Newcastle were under no pressure to sell.
The failed move prompted Spurs to turn their focus to Fernandes. Tottenham have made a fast start in the summer transfer window, already signing four players. Earlier this week, they agreed a deal to bring goalkeeper Martin Dubravka to the club on a free transfer once his Burnley contract expires on 1 July. The 37-year-old Slovakian joins Marcos Senesi, Andy Robertson and Jan Paul van Hecke — the latter arriving from Brighton for £52m — as defensive reinforcements.
Newcastle, meanwhile, are braced for further offers for both Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes, with Arsenal reportedly interested in the Brazilian. Manchester United also retain an interest in Fernandes, while their own transfer plans have been disrupted by an unspecified setback.
Spurs have already confirmed the departure of young striker Alejo Veliz at the end of the month, as they continue to reshape their squad under De Zerbi. With the World Cup demanding attention, the transfer window is quietly heating up — and Tottenham's pursuit of Fernandes could be the next deal to hit the headlines.