Tottenham Hotspur have completed the signing of midfielder Mateus Fernandes from West Ham United for a club-record fee of £85m.
The 21-year-old becomes the most expensive player in Spurs history, with the guaranteed fee containing no add-ons to the agreed price.
Fernandes spent the past two seasons in the Premier League with Southampton and West Ham, though both clubs were relegated to the Championship during his time there.
Despite the turbulence at club level, the Portuguese midfielder caught the eye of several top-flight sides, including Manchester United, who ultimately refused to match Spurs’ offer.
Tottenham also saw off that competition from Old Trafford to land one of the most coveted young midfielders in English football this summer.
Head coach Roberto de Zerbi was quick to explain why Fernandes was such an important target for the north London club this transfer window.
“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 De Zerbi.
“Despite his age, he already has good experience in the Premier League and has shown quality and consistency at this level.”
De Zerbi added: “Mateus is comfortable under pressure, can progress the ball, works hard for the team and has the courage to make things happen in difficult moments.”
“I believe this is the ideal environment for him to continue his development,” the Spurs head coach concluded.
Fernandes has earned one senior cap for Portugal but was not selected as part of their World Cup squad, making a strong club season all the more important for his international ambitions.
The midfielder expressed real enthusiasm about the move, pointing specifically to De Zerbi as a major factor in his decision to join Spurs.
“I’m very excited for this next step,” Fernandes said. “Spurs is a massive club and the head coach was a key part of why I have decided to join.”
“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,” he added.
Fernandes is the fifth signing Tottenham have made during what has been a remarkably active start to the summer transfer window.
His arrival follows those of goalkeeper Martin Dubravka and defenders Marcos Senesi, Andy Robertson, and Jan Paul van Hecke through the doors at Spurs.
The club is not finished there either, having already agreed a separate £100m fee with Newcastle United for Italy midfielder Sandro Tonali, a deal that came after an initial bid was rejected.
Fernandes had been identified as a primary target for Spurs even before the Tonali pursuit began, underlining just how highly the club’s recruitment team rate the young Portuguese star.
