Tottenham have been one of several clubs linked with a move for West Ham midfielder Mateus Fernandes, who looks set to leave the London Stadium this summer
20:40, 23 Jun 2026
Mateus Fernandes applauds
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Tottenham are in a strong position to sign Mateus Fernandes this summer(Image: Getty Images)
Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United are set to do battle for West Ham midfielder Mateus Fernandes. Spurs have emerged as contenders this week and talks are understood to have progressed positively.
And The Independent report that the Hammers are adamant about receiving a substantial portion of any agreed fee upfront.
It is also understood that Spurs have tabled a more lucrative overall package. Crucially, Tottenham's wage offer to Fernandes is reportedly higher than that of United too, and thirdly, the 21-year-old is said to be very eager about the potential move.
It is therefore evident that the Red Devils will need to improve their wage offer to Fernandes, increase the upfront payment to West Ham, and enhance the overall financial package to the east London club.
West Ham have placed an £85million price tag on Fernandes, though this will merely serve as a starting point in negotiations with a club that desperately needs to generate funds to secure an immediate return to the Premier League.
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The significance of Manchester City's £120m-plus bid for Elliot Anderson underlines just how inflated the midfielder market has become.
Top-quality midfielders are at a premium, and clubs fortunate enough to possess such players will hold firm for the highest possible fee.
Anderson was seen as an ideal acquisition at Old Trafford, so it comes as little surprise that United are also weighing up a move for Fernandes.
The Portuguese midfielder could offer greater potential than the England international, being two years his junior and therefore likely to continue developing.
Mateus Fernandes during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Leeds United at London Stadium.
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Mateus Fernandes impressed in the Premier League for West Ham last season.(Image: Rob Newell - CameraSport via Getty Images)
Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal have also been credited with interest in Fernandes, meaning Spurs may need to move swiftly to secure his services.
His former manager, Vasco Seabra, has explained to Radio Renascenca why Fernandes is attracting attention from some of Europe's elite clubs.
He said: "He has a huge range of abilities. I mean, he has technical quality and he's a kid with a fantastic heart and mentality.
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"We expected, and I particularly expected, that he could reach top teams very quickly, but it would be false of me to say I expected that, two years later, he could be in Real Madrid's plans. He was really very young when he came through us."
Seabra believes Fernandes has what it takes to thrive in the Premier League. He added: "I expected he could reach Premier League level in a very short time.
"He really had a mentality and a daily commitment, both in training and matches, that made me believe he could reach a very high level."