By Francis Onyach - Reporter
U.K June 30, 2026 - Tottenham Hotspur have won one of the biggest transfer battles of the summer after reaching an agreement to sign Portuguese midfielder Mateus Fernandes from West Ham United in a deal worth £85 million, making the 21-year-old the most expensive signing in Spurs' history.
The transfer, confirmed by multiple leading outlets sees Tottenham fend off strong competition from Manchester United, who had tracked Fernandes for several weeks but ultimately refused to match Spurs' financial package.
The agreement marks another major statement of intent from Tottenham as they continue to reshape their squad ahead of the 2026/27 campaign. Fernandes has emerged as one of the Premier League's brightest young midfielders over the past year, and Spurs moved decisively to secure his signature before United could return with an improved offer.
According to reports, Tottenham's proposal exceeded Manchester United's valuation of the player both in terms of the guaranteed transfer fee and the overall financial package offered to Fernandes. The Portuguese international has now chosen a move to north London, with the deal expected to be completed once the remaining formalities, including his medical, are finalized.
Fernandes' rise has been remarkable.
After joining West Ham from Southampton in the summer of 2025 for an initial £38 million, the midfielder quickly established himself as one of the Hammers' standout performers despite the club's relegation from the Premier League. His composure in possession, ability to dictate play from midfield and maturity beyond his years attracted interest from several elite European clubs, including Manchester United, Arsenal, Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid.
Although West Ham endured a difficult campaign collectively, Fernandes enhanced his reputation with a string of impressive performances. He finished the season with 42 appearances in all competitions, contributing five goals and five assists, while consistently ranking among the club's best performers.
His performances convinced Tottenham that he could become the long-term cornerstone of their midfield.
Manchester United had been exploring a move for Fernandes since early June and held discussions with both West Ham and the player's representatives. Michael Carrick viewed the Portuguese midfielder as a priority addition, with United seeking to strengthen the heart of midfield following their return to the UEFA Champions League.
However, as negotiations progressed, Tottenham accelerated their pursuit.
Spurs were prepared to meet West Ham's valuation of around £85 million, while United were reluctant to increase their offer beyond their internal valuation. Reports indicate that Tottenham also presented a more attractive overall financial package, convincing both West Ham and the player that north London was the right destination.
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For West Ham, the agreement represents a significant profit on a player they signed just one year ago. The Hammers initially hoped to retain Fernandes and build around him as they aimed for an immediate return to the Premier League, but Tottenham's record-breaking offer proved too good to refuse.
The transfer will surpass every previous signing in Tottenham's history.
By committing £85 million, Spurs have underlined their ambition to compete at the highest level domestically and in Europe. The fee eclipses the club's previous transfer record and reflects the belief that Fernandes can become one of the Premier League's elite midfielders over the coming years.
Still only 21, Fernandes combines technical quality with defensive intelligence and exceptional ball progression. Comfortable operating as a deep-lying playmaker or in a more advanced midfield role, he is regarded as one of Portugal's most exciting young talents and has already broken into the senior national team setup.
Missing out on Fernandes represents a setback for Manchester United's summer recruitment plans.
The midfielder had been identified as one of Carrick's preferred targets, but the club's hierarchy refused to be drawn into a bidding war that exceeded their valuation. United are now expected to turn their attention to alternative midfield options as they continue rebuilding the squad ahead of the new season.
While supporters may be disappointed to lose out to a Premier League rival, the decision reflects United's determination to maintain financial discipline rather than overspend, even for one of the league's brightest young players.
For Tottenham, this is more than just another transfer.
It is a statement that the club is prepared to compete aggressively for elite talent and back its long-term project with significant investment. Winning the race against Manchester United for one of Europe's most sought-after young midfielders sends a strong message about Spurs' ambitions.
If Fernandes continues the rapid development he showed at West Ham, Tottenham may have secured the centerpiece of their midfield for the next decade. For now, however, the headline belongs to Spurs, who have landed their marquee signing of the summer in spectacular fashion.