The Lewis Family said they’d back Tottenham this summer. They weren’t kidding.
Spurs are about to drop a club-record £85 million on Mateus Fernandes, a midfielder who chose north London over Manchester United. For a team that finished 17th last season and barely avoided relegation on the final day, that kind of financial muscle says something.
The medical is scheduled. The deal is done. And Fernandes joins a list of summer arrivals that already includes Jan Paul van Hecke for £52 million, plus free transfers Marcos Senesi and Andy Robertson. This isn’t a splash. It’s a tidal wave.
The De Zerbi factor is real
Roberto De Zerbi sold these players on a vision. And apparently, they bought it. The manager has been talking openly about what Tottenham can become, and that confidence is contagious. Van Hecke already played for De Zerbi at Brighton. The connection is there.
But Spurs aren’t done. They’re still chasing Newcastle’s Sandro Tonali, and word is they’d happily break the Fernandes record to get him. Tonali plus Fernandes as the midfield base? That’s De Zerbi’s plan. A deal for Tonali would likely top £90 million. Combined with their other targets — Manchester City winger Savinho is still in play — the total spending could blow past £200 million this window.
Last summer was a disaster. This one is different.
A year ago, Spurs dragged their feet. They didn’t land their first major signing until July 10 — Mohammed Kudus from West Ham. Then nothing until August 29, when they finally got Xavi Simons after missing on Morgan Gibbs-White and Eberechi Eze. That kind of slow, reactive window gets you 17th place.
This time around, they identified weaknesses and moved fast. Most of those weaknesses were obvious — the roster needed a rebuild from the studs up — but at least they didn’t pretend otherwise. They’re acting like a club that learned from its mistakes.
And the timing helps. Liverpool, Chelsea, and Manchester City all have new managers. There’s uncertainty at the top of the Premier League, and that creates an opening for a team with ambition and a respected coach. Spurs have both right now.
De Zerbi earned the right to spend after keeping the club up. The question is whether the Lewis Family sees this as a one-time panic spend or the start of something real. The early returns look good. But the Premier League doesn’t hand out credit for summer shopping sprees. You have to win the games.
For now, Tottenham fans can enjoy the rare feeling of outmuscling Manchester United for a player. That alone is worth something.
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