West Ham have given Mateus Fernandes permission to undergo a medical ahead of a potential transfer to Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham Hotspur fought hammer and tongs to sign Mateus Fernandes from West Ham. The Lilywhites faced tough competition from Manchester United in the race for the 21-year-old midfielder’s signature, but Johan Lange waltzed away victorious, laying down a marker ahead of the new Premier League season.
football.london understands that Spurs outbid the Red Devils, reaching an agreement with the Hammers on a deal believed to be worth around £85m. Manchester United pushed hard to sign Fernandes, who’s now set to sign a long-term contract in north London, but they pulled the plug when the finances exceeded their valuation.
It’s understood that the Red Devils only want to sign players who are committed to the project at Old Trafford, and the Portugal international left the door open to Tottenham throughout the negotiation process. In recent years, Manchester United have made an effort to remain patient and buy the right player at the right price.
So, when Lange dug a bit deeper into his pocket and threw some more chips on the table, the Red Devils packed up their bags and left. West Ham have since given Fernandes permission to undergo a medical ahead of a potential transfer to the Lilywhites.
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The Portuguese playmaker looks set to become the fifth signing of the summer, following the arrivals of Andrew Robertson, Marco Senesi, Jan Paul van Hecke, and Martin Dúbravka. Spurs have shown no sign of slowing down either, with Roberto De Zerbi eager to rebuild the core of his squad.
Speaking to reporters on the final day of the season, following a win over Everton, which sealed a place in the Premier League, the Tottenham boss raised eyebrows when he suggested that half of the team could be axed.
De Zerbi said: “From tonight, we have to start to organise and to build a new team. I think we have now to change too many players. We have 10, 11, 12 players good enough to stay. Good enough. Like players. Especially like people. And then we have to complete the squad with the first level of players.”
Then, in a separate interview with club media, the Italian added: “I’m looking forward to building a new team. I’m looking forward to calling these players, to speak with them and to introduce the new season and to speak with the new players we have to bring.
“We are lucky to stay here, and we have to compete in the best way we can,” added the 47-year-old. “We have to organise the next season, we have to build a stronger team. Now we have to move on and to prepare the future of our club.”
Despite having all but wrapped up the signing of Fernandes, Sandro Tonali continues to be linked with a move to Tottenham. football.london understands that Spurs have held talks over the Newcastle United midfielder, but they face strong competition in the race for his signature, too.
The Lilywhites have plenty of time to get a deal over the line, though, having already wrapped up the bulk of business.
