Tottenham is pushing hard to lock down a personal agreement with West Ham midfielder Mateus Fernandes. According to insider Matteo Moretto, the two sides are “very close” on wages and contract length. That doesn’t mean the deal is done, though. Not even close.
Fernandes has been a major target for Manchester United for months. Earlier in the chase, reports indicated the Portuguese midfielder preferred a move to Old Trafford over a switch to north London. But Spurs kept pushing, even when it seemed like they were playing catch-up.
And here’s the thing. No one has actually negotiated with West Ham yet. Not Tottenham. Not United. The Hammers are holding firm at £85 million for the 23-year-old, and they haven’t shown any sign of budging. So both clubs are still a long way from actually signing him, even if Fernandes has a preferred destination in mind.
Tottenham has been the busiest club in the Premier League this summer. They’ve already brought in Marcos Senesi, Andy Robertson, and Jan Paul van Hecke. That’s three solid additions, but the midfield is where they’ve really set their sights. They’re chasing both Fernandes and Sandro Tonali, the AC Milan and Newcastle man valued at around £100 million. Tonali is more expensive but also more experienced in the Premier League. After two rough seasons in a row, Spurs need someone who can step in and perform immediately.
For Fernandes, the personal terms might get sorted soon, but the bigger question is whether Tottenham can actually seal the deal with West Ham. If United gets a bid accepted and Spurs don’t, Fernandes would almost certainly pick the red side of Manchester. And if that happens, Tottenham would be left holding a verbal agreement that doesn’t lead anywhere.
It’s a strange spot for Spurs to be in. They’ve been aggressive this window, maybe the most aggressive team in the league. But being aggressive doesn’t guarantee you get your man. Especially when another club with more recent success is in the same race.
Both Spurs and United are also monitoring Tonali, but Tottenham’s interest there seems more intense. He’s a proven Premier League performer, and after back-to-back seasons that left fans frustrated, that kind of reliability matters. Fernandes has talent, no question. But he’s still young, still developing, and still at a West Ham team that has been inconsistent.
For now, Tottenham can claim progress. They’re close on personal terms. That’s real. But the rest of this saga is unwritten, and Manchester United is still very much in the picture.
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