Tottenham Hotspur have completed the signing of Mateus Fernandes from West Ham United, confirming the club-record deal just a day after agreeing terms with the Hammers. The 21-year-old Portugal international becomes Roberto De Zerbi's fifth signing of the summer.
The fee is officially undisclosed, but as we reported in our coverage of Tottenham's £185m double swoop for Fernandes and Sandro Tonali, the agreement with West Ham is understood to be worth around £85 million. That comfortably eclipses the £65 million paid for Dominic Solanke and rewrites Tottenham's all-time transfer history.
Spurs beat Manchester United to the midfielder, and attention now turns to Newcastle's Tonali as De Zerbi continues his midfield rebuild.
De Zerbi the Deciding Factor
Fernandes made clear that the head coach was central to his decision to move to north London.
"I'm very excited for this next step. Spurs is a massive club and the Head Coach was a key part of why I have decided to join. 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."
De Zerbi was equally effusive about his new midfielder, saying he had admired Fernandes for a long time because he combines quality on the ball with the intensity and intelligence his system demands. The Italian added that Fernandes is comfortable under pressure, can progress the ball, works hard for the team and "has the courage to make things happen in difficult moments".
Sporting Director Johan Lange described Fernandes as a player with outstanding technical ability, intelligence and maturity, adding that he has the talent, mentality and work ethic to become a very important player for both the present and the future of the club.
From Sporting's Academy to N17
A product of Sporting CP's illustrious academy, Fernandes joined the Lisbon club from local side Olhanense in 2016 and spent eight years progressing through the ranks. He was playing regularly for Sporting's B team in the Portuguese third tier at just 17, before making his first-team debut in the Primeira Liga in October 2022.
Fittingly, his UEFA Champions League debut came four days later at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, off the bench in a 1-1 group-stage draw with Spurs. A productive 2023/24 loan at Estoril followed, where he made 28 league appearances and helped the club reach their first cup final in 80 years.
| Season | Club | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| 2021/22 | Sporting CP B | Regular third-tier football at 17 |
| 2022/23 | Sporting CP | First-team debut, Champions League debut at Spurs |
| 2023/24 | Estoril (loan) | 28 league apps, first cup final in club's 80-year wait |
| 2024/25 | Southampton | 36 PL apps, top 10 for duels won (208), Player of the Season |
| 2025/26 | West Ham United | 36 PL apps, joint-fifth for tackles (103), Goal of the Season |
Proven in the Premier League
Despite his age, Fernandes arrives with 72 Premier League appearances across two full seasons. At Southampton in 2024/25 he ranked in the top 10 for duels won with 208 and contributed two goals and four assists, one of them a stoppage-time strike at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, on his way to the club's Player of the Season award.
After moving to West Ham at the end of August 2025, he was ever-present in the league from his debut onwards, finishing joint-fifth for tackles with 103 and adding three goals and four assists. His superb long-range effort in a home win over Sunderland in January won West Ham's Goal of the Season award.
His form earned a first senior Portugal call-up in March 2026, and he won his first cap as a late substitute in a 2-0 win over the USA on 1 April, having represented his country at every level from Under-18 to Under-21.
De Zerbi's Rebuild Gathers Pace
Fernandes joins Andy Robertson, Marcos Senesi, Martin Dubravka and Jan Paul van Hecke in a busy summer of incoming business, with Tottenham's spending now approaching £200 million. You can follow every deal on our Premier League Summer 2026 transfers page.
The club's pursuit of Sandro Tonali continues, and if Newcastle's £100 million valuation is met, that deal would rank among the biggest in British football transfer history and break the club record for a second time in a matter of weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are the answers to the key questions about Tottenham's signing of Mateus Fernandes.
How much did Tottenham pay for Mateus Fernandes?
The fee is officially undisclosed, but the deal with West Ham United is reported to be worth around £85 million, a new club record ahead of the £65 million paid for Dominic Solanke.
Why did Mateus Fernandes choose Tottenham?
Fernandes said head coach Roberto De Zerbi was a key part of his decision, explaining that the pair look at football in the same way and that their conversation before the move was "very special".
What is Mateus Fernandes's Premier League record?
Fernandes has made 72 Premier League appearances over the past two seasons, winning Southampton's Player of the Season award in 2024/25 and West Ham's Goal of the Season award in 2025/26.
Has Mateus Fernandes played for Portugal?
Yes. After representing Portugal at every age group from Under-18 to Under-21, he made his senior debut as a late substitute in a 2-0 win over the USA on 1 April 2026, his only cap to date.