Tottenham are the latest club to have thrown their hat into the ring for in-demand West Ham midfielder Mateus Fernandes.
The 21-year-old is being targeted by a number of major clubs this summer, including Manchester United, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain.
Roberto De Zerbi’s Tottenham have now also joined the race for the young Portugal star, with the growing interest in the player set to benefit West Ham, who are aiming to secure around £85 million from a transfer ahead of the June 30 accounting deadline.
Daniel Kretinsky, who is set to become West Ham’s biggest shareholder following the resignation of David Sullivan, has insisted the club does not need to sell.
However, with losses having risen to £104.2 million in the previous financial year, the club is once again heading towards a significant deficit in 2025-26 following their relegation to the Championship at the end of the season.
Profit and sustainability rules state that losses are limited to £105m over a three-year period.
Roberto De Zerbi ’s Tottenham have now also joined the race for the young Portugal star, with the growing interest in the player set to benefit West Ham who are asking for £85million
Tottenham have already wrapped up the signings of £52m defender Jan Paul van Hecke from Brighton, as well as Scotland captain Andy Robertson from Liverpool and Bournemouth defender Marcos Senesi – both of whom arrive on free transfers amid Spurs’ squad overhaul ahead of the new season under De Zerbi.
Tottenham have also held talks with Newcastle’s Tonali camp but face competition from other clubs, including Manchester City, who see the Italian as a back-up option for Elliot Anderson.
Daily Mail Sport reported last week that United are leading the race to sign Fernandes after Michael Carrick’s side refused to become involved in a bidding war with City over Anderson, having seen an offer of £120m rejected.
United have yet to make a formal bid, but there have been discussions with the player’s camp, and it is believed that personal terms will not be a problem, with Champions League football next season also seen as a major attraction.
Although Fernandes was left out of Portugal’s World Cup squad, he is rated as one of the most exciting midfield prospects in Europe.
He recorded five goals and five assists in 42 appearances in all competitions for West Ham in the 2025-26 season and was a contender for the club’s Player of the Season award, which was won by defender Konstantinos Mavropanos.
Fernandes does not have a release clause in his contract, which expires in 2030.
