Tottenham Hotspur are stepping up their summer transfer efforts and are reportedly nearing an agreement to sign West Ham United midfielder Mateus Fernandes. The north London club is said to be positioning itself to outpace Manchester United in securing the Portuguese international’s signature following West Ham’s relegation from the Premier League.
Tottenham leading the race for the Portuguese midfielder
Under the guidance of Roberto De Zerbi, Spurs are making major moves in the transfer market as they look to refresh their squad after a difficult season. According to transfer journalist Matteo Moretto, Tottenham are now “very close” to agreeing personal terms with the 21-year-old Fernandes, who is widely recognised as one of the most promising young midfielders in the Premier League despite West Ham’s recent struggles.
While Manchester United have long considered Fernandes a key target, Tottenham have acted swiftly to get ahead of their rivals. The player is reportedly keen on the idea of a move to north London, as he hopes to remain in the Premier League rather than spend a season in the Championship. However, direct negotiations between Tottenham and West Ham are yet to begin, with discussions currently focused on the player’s personal terms.
De Zerbi’s plan to rebuild Tottenham’s midfield
The chase for Fernandes forms part of a wider plan by Roberto De Zerbi to reshape Tottenham’s midfield. Reports indicate that Spurs are also pursuing Newcastle United’s Sandro Tonali. Securing both players would be a huge statement of intent, given the competition from other top-six clubs for Tonali’s signing.
Tottenham have already been active in the transfer window, having added Andy Robertson, Jan Paul van Hecke, and Marcos Senesi to their squad. With Fernandes and Tonali on their radar, De Zerbi is clearly aiming to inject both technical skill and defensive intensity into his midfield setup. Fernandes enjoyed a strong season with West Ham, making 39 appearances across all competitions, scoring five goals, and contributing five assists.
Manchester United remain in contention
Despite Tottenham’s advancement, Manchester United continue to pose a major challenge in the race for Fernandes. The Old Trafford management turned their focus towards the young Portuguese midfielder after failing to finalise moves for Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson and Real Madrid’s Aurelien Tchouameni. Reports suggest Fernandes holds Manchester United in high regard and is enthusiastic about the possibility of playing alongside his compatriot, Bruno Fernandes.
United’s interest makes Tottenham’s progress even more significant. If Spurs can agree personal terms with the midfielder—who joined West Ham from Southampton in the summer of 2025 for over £40 million on a contract running until 2030—it would place them in a strong negotiating position. Manchester United must now decide whether to match Tottenham’s pace or risk missing out on one of their main summer targets to a Premier League rival.
The £80 million valuation hurdle
Although personal terms appear close to being settled, the financial details of the deal could still be a stumbling block. West Ham are reportedly demanding between £80 and £85 million for Fernandes, refusing to lower their valuation despite being relegated. The Hammers are aware of the midfielder’s potential and are determined not to offer a “relegation discount.”
Both Tottenham and Manchester United are expected to negotiate in an attempt to bring the price down over the coming weeks. With Spurs planning as many as seven new signings this summer, they will need to manage their budget carefully. Nevertheless, Tottenham currently hold the momentum as they push to finalise a deal for one of the Premier League’s most promising midfielders.
