Tottenham Hotspur have completed the signing of Portugal midfielder Mateus Fernandes from West Ham United in a club-record deal reportedly worth £85 million ($113.4 million).
The 21-year-old joins Spurs after West Ham’s relegation from the Premier League, with both clubs confirming the transfer on Thursday.
Fernandes becomes Tottenham’s most expensive signing, surpassing the £52 million the club paid RB Leipzig for Netherlands forward Xavi Simons last August.
Speaking after completing the move, Fernandes said Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi played a major role in his decision.
“Spurs is a massive club and the head coach was a key part of why I decided to join,” he said.
“When we spoke, it was very special. We look at football in the same way – going onto the pitch as a strong team, with fight and energy, to try and win every game.”
Fernandes moved to England from Sporting Lisbon in 2023, joining Southampton before signing for West Ham in 2025. He has made 72 Premier League appearances, scoring five goals.
The Portugal international made his senior debut in April but missed out on Roberto Martinez’s World Cup squad.
Reports indicate Manchester United were also interested in signing the midfielder.
De Zerbi described Fernandes as a player he had admired for a long time, praising his technical ability, work rate and composure.
“Despite his age, he already has good experience in the Premier League and has shown quality and consistency at this level,” the Tottenham manager said.
He added that Fernandes’ ability to perform under pressure and contribute at both ends of the pitch made him an ideal fit for the club.
Fernandes is Tottenham’s fourth confirmed signing of the summer transfer window. The club has also reportedly agreed a deal for Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali, while goalkeeper Martin Dubravka and defenders Marcos Senesi, Andy Robertson and Jan Paul van Hecke have also joined the squad.
Tottenham begin their Premier League campaign away to Brentford on August 22.
