Tottenham have shattered their transfer record to beat Manchester United to the signing of Portugal midfielder Mateus Fernandes, agreeing an £85m deal with relegated West Ham. The 21-year-old, who joined West Ham from Southampton for £38m last summer, is due to have a medical before completing the move — a guaranteed £85m with no add-ons.
United were unwilling to match the fee, sticking to their stance of only paying what they consider the right valuation. Former United and West Ham striker Teddy Sheringham argued they should not be upset. “He simply isn’t good enough for the club,” Sheringham told ComeOn. “I wasn’t so impressed with Mateus Fernandes at West Ham this year. A lot of West Ham fans think he’ll go on to bigger and better things but the jury’s still out for me on Fernandes. United need top players. They’ve already got enough decent players.”
“Tottenham beat Manchester United to sign Mateus Fernandes from West Ham for a club-record £85m.”
Fernandes — despite back-to-back Premier League relegations — had been a primary target for Spurs after their £80m bid for Newcastle’s Sandro Tonali was rejected. Roberto De Zerbi, who helped Tottenham narrowly avoid relegation last season, has been handed significant funds and also hopes to sign Tonali. The club have made a fast start in the market, already agreeing deals for goalkeeper Martin Dubravka on a free transfer from Burnley and defenders Marcos Senesi (free, Bournemouth), Andy Robertson (free, Liverpool) and Jan Paul van Hecke (£52m, Brighton).
United, preparing for a Champions League return after a third-place finish, have agreed a £35m deal with Atalanta for Ederson, but his arrival is delayed by World Cup duty. Their squad remains largely unchanged; the plan to sell Manuel Ugarte has been shelved after his serious injury on Uruguay duty.
West Ham, who lost £104.2m last year, are poised for a rebuild after relegation. The sale of Fernandes — the highest ever by a Championship club — will ease financial concerns, especially with Daniel Kretinsky set to become the club’s largest shareholder. But they are still expected to lose Crysencio Summerville, while Jarrod Bowen is being monitored by several top clubs. Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Jean-Clair Todibo are also likely to leave.
For Tottenham, the signing of Fernandes adds creativity to a midfield that De Zerbi hopes to further strengthen with Tonali — a deal that would break the record again.