Roberto De Zerbi is not messing around. Tottenham’s new manager wants a midfield that can actually control games, and he’s reportedly targeting two of the more intriguing names on the market right now. The problem? Everybody else wants them too.
According to David Ornstein, Spurs are in the mix for West Ham’s Mateus Fernandes. That name might ring a bell because Manchester United has been linked with him for months. The key detail here is that Tottenham’s interest in Fernandes is separate from their pursuit of Newcastle’s Sandro Tonali. That matters because it suggests De Zerbi isn’t picking between two guys. He wants to reshape the entire middle of the pitch, not just plug one hole.
Fernandes makes sense for what De Zerbi wants. The kid is 21, technically clean, comfortable receiving the ball in traffic. Even with West Ham slogging through a rough season, he showed he can handle Premier League pace. That’s not nothing for a young midfielder still figuring out his game.
The price tag is the real story here
West Ham knows what they’ve got, and they know multiple clubs are circling. Reports peg Fernandes’ value around £80 million. That’s steep for a player who hasn’t been dominant for a full season, but the market does what the market does when two big clubs show up.
That’s where Manchester United complicates things for Tottenham. If it were just Spurs bidding, West Ham might have to negotiate. With United potentially involved, the Hammers can sit back and let the bidding war drive the number. Tottenham has to decide how badly they want this guy. Move early and you might get him before the price balloons. Wait too long and you’re paying a premium or losing him entirely.
Tonali is a different kind of problem
Newcastle is not interested in being a selling club for their core guys. Tonali has settled in well on Tyneside, and the Magpies would demand a massive fee to even consider a conversation. That deal feels harder to pull off, especially if Spurs also want Fernandes.
But the fact that Tottenham is exploring both paths tells you something about how De Zerbi views this squad. This isn’t about adding depth or finding a rotational piece. He wants guys who can dictate tempo, break lines, and play through pressure. Fernandes brings the technical ceiling. Tonali brings the intensity and experience. Either one would change how Tottenham looks in central midfield.
Landing both would be a statement. Landing one would still be a serious upgrade. But none of this happens without a big checkbook and some willingness to move fast. The summer window hasn’t even really opened yet, and Tottenham is already in a race.
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