Tottenham Hotspur have pulled off a major coup with the signing of highly sought-after Portuguese midfielder Mateus Fernandes in an eye-watering £85m deal. The 21-year-old's arrival is set to inject fresh energy into Spurs' midfield, and it's a shrewd move by manager Antonio Conte as he continues to reshape his squad ahead of the new season.
Just when it seemed like Newcastle United were about to pip their North London rivals to Fernandes's signature, Tottenham stepped up their game with an improved offer that won over West Ham United. The Magpies had been keen on retaining Sandro Tonali, who recently extended his contract following a 10-month ban for breaching betting rules, demonstrating loyalty to the Tyneside club.
Manchester United were also in the running but reportedly pulled out of negotiations after being unwilling to match Tottenham's valuation. Sources close to Old Trafford suggest that they weren't convinced Fernandes was desperate to join them – and who can blame him? Paris Saint-Germain, one of Europe's top clubs, had also been tracking his progress.
This deal is a testament to Fernandes' quality as a player, having consistently performed for West Ham despite their recent struggles. His market value remains high, and it's no surprise that several top European clubs were eager to snap him up. Now, it looks like Spurs are the ones who'll be benefiting from his skills.
This signing is just the latest in a series of summer signings for Tottenham, who have already secured four other players. Goalkeeper Martin Dubravka, defensive reinforcements Marcos Senesi and Andy Robertson, and Netherlands defender Jan Paul van Hecke all join Fernandes at the club, with the latter arriving from Brighton for £52m.