Spurs have stolen a march on their Premier League rivals Manchester United in the pursuit of West Ham's creative midfield gem Mateus Fernandes. Exclus...
Spurs have stolen a march on their Premier League rivals Manchester United in the pursuit of West Ham's creative midfield gem Mateus Fernandes. Exclusive information from GoalZaza reveals that positive talks have already taken place between the two London clubs, with newly installed manager Roberto De Zerbi making the 24 year old Portuguese international his primary target this summer.The Hammers are demanding a fee in the region of £85 million for Fernandes, a figure that would smash Tottenham's transfer record and signal the start of a bold new era under the Italian tactician. De Zerbi is understood to have been given substantial backing from the board after his appointment, and he is wasting no time in reshaping a squad that has often lacked the guile and transitional speed required to break down a stubborn low block. Fernandes fits that brief perfectly.What sets him apart He is a midfielder who thrives on the half turn, capable of receiving the ball under pressure and instantly sending a defence scrambling with a first time pass. He offers tactical flexibility too, comfortable as a number eight or a ten, and he is not afraid to put in the dirty work out of possession. For a side that has often looked brittle in transitional moments, his addition would provide both steel and silk. United, meanwhile, have been caught napping. Their interest has been known for months, but they have yet to formalise anything concrete with West Ham. That dithering has cost them before. Can they really afford to let another top target slip through their fingersThe message from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is clear: De Zerbi wants a team that plays on the front foot, and Fernandes is the engine room recruit to make that happen. If this deal goes through, it will be a statement of intent. Squeaky bum time for the rest of the top six.
