Tottenham keen to sign Mateus Fernandes as rebuild continues at pace
By George Sessions, Press Association
Tottenham have stepped up their pursuit of West Ham midfielder Mateus Fernandes, the Press Association understands.
Spurs completed their fourth signing of the summer on Wednesday when goalkeeper Martin Dubravka joined on a free transfer and the club have immediately switched focus to landing Portugal international Fernandes.
Fernandes impressed during the 2025-26 campaign for the relegated Hammers, who finished in the Premier League’s bottom three at the expense of Tottenham and must reshape their squad for life in the Championship.
Manchester United have tracked Fernandes, but Spurs are also eager to secure the services of the highly-rated 21-year-old and confidence is growing a deal can be struck with West Ham, PA understands.
An overall package in the region of £85million (€95 million) for Fernandes is likely to satisfy West Ham, who sold Mohammed Kudus to Tottenham last July after a lengthy period without doing business with their London rivals.
Meanwhile, Spurs’ search for a new sporting director has been paused until the end of the summer transfer window, according to minutes from a recent Fan Advisory Board (FAB) meeting.
Spurs hired Fabio Paratici last October to work alongside Johan Lange in a dual sporting director structure, but the Italian left in February to return to Italy for personal reasons.
Another sporting director was set to be brought in this summer, but during a meeting with FAB on June 16, chief executive Vinai Venkatesham confirmed it was no longer a key priority.
Lange, head coach Roberto De Zerbi and Rafi Moersen, who has joined as director of football operations, are leading the club’s recruitment this transfer window.
Asked about the sporting director search, Venkatesham said in minutes from the FAB meeting: “The club has confidence in our people, but if we find someone who can complement our existing team and make it better, we will do that at the right time (and in a summer window is not that time).
“No-one has been in a process and turned us down. Many names in the media linked with us, we have never even spoken to.”
It was also revealed new director of football operations Moersen started on June 16 after a period of garden leave following his exit from City Football Group.
Moersen said during the FAB meeting: “(My) remit includes recruitment, player transactions, infrastructure, player care and responsibility for the women’s team.”
Ex-Manchester City executive Moersen also emphasised “the importance of player welfare, relationship-building and improving football outcomes” during the meeting.
