Tottenham could face competition from Liverpool for West Ham midfielder.
Having already signed Andy Robertson, Marcos Senesi and Jan Paul van Hecke to improve a backline that conceded 57 goals in 38 Premier League games during the 2025/26 season, Tottenham Hotspur are now focusing their attention on revamping their engine room.
Sandro Tonali has emerged as the North London club’s No.1 target last week, with the Newcastle United midfielder believed to be available for transfer this summer ‘at the right price’. Roberto De Zerbi wants to bring Tonali to N17 after internally stressing the need to strengthen the midfield unit this summer. In fact, Spurs have also seen their opening £75m bid for the Italy international rejected.
Alongside Tonali, Tottenham are exploring a move for West Ham’s Mateus Fernandes. He has apparently been cleared to leave the London Stadium after West Ham slapped an £80 million asking price on the central midfielder. Manchester United have also expressed a concrete interest in the Portuguese international, who was one of the Hammers’ rare shining lights in an otherwise torrid campaign that ended in relegation.
However, there is now another Premier League club showing interest in Mateus Fernandes.
Liverpool initiate contact with Mateus Fernandes
Reputed journalist Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Liverpool enquired about Fernandes a few weeks ago to understand what it would take to sign him this summer. Since making contact with the player’s agents, the Reds haven’t submitted a bid or opened official talks with West Ham for the 21-year-old.
“I will tell you something that was not so public in the recent days and weeks. Liverpool made a call two weeks ago to understand the situation of Fernandes at West Ham, to understand the price and conditions, but they didn’t return with any bid or any official conversation,” Fabrizio Romano said on Born N’Red YouTube channel.
“But they made a call two weeks ago, I can guarantee that. Tottenham and Man United are busy with a deal, so there are so many clubs involved. The player is going to be expensive, more than £85m. It means Liverpool are working on midfielders.”
A report from Football Insider claims that Liverpool are planning to recruit a central midfielder who will add energy and athleticism, which makes Fernandes a perfect fit. The Portuguese talent has the mix of technical attributes, physicality and running power to play for the biggest clubs across Europe, and he could be a valuable long-term asset for Liverpool, Tottenham or Man United.
For now, though, Fernandes does not appear to be a concrete target for Andoni Iraola’s club. If Spurs do not act quickly and wrap up a deal, Liverpool may just explode into the transfer race and hijack a move for the West Ham man.