Tottenham Hotspur are battling with Manchester United for the services of West Ham United's Mateus Fernandes, and the latest reports suggest Spurs are leading the race.
Roberto De Zerbi is intent on reinventing Tottenham's midfield this summer, with an array of personnel changes in the engine room expected.
We've learnt that Lucas Bergvall wants to move on, João Palhinha likely isn't returning, and Pape Matar Sarr may also be on the chopping block. There's room for multiple additions in this window, and Spurs are seemingly ready to spend big to appease their omnipotent manager.
Our proposed move for Sandro Tonali is believed to be separate from our pursuit of Fernandes. In a utopian world, De Zerbi has both at his disposal in short order, with the outlay expected to be huge.
Spurs reportedly reach agreement with West Ham over Fernandes
The market for Fernandes is strong after he shone in a poor West Ham team during the second half of the season, having joined the club from Southampton last summer. Fernandes is a cultured midfield player with an impressive passing range. Overall, he's much more of the ilk Spurs supporters crave than the all-action Tonali, who I still hold in high regard.
Man Utd have been all over the Portuguese, with other Premier League clubs more tenuously linked. However, the Red Devils have been joined in the hunt by an ambitious Spurs, and risk being blown out of the water by our determination to snag the 21-year-old.
According to Spurs insiders @szyexcl and Poseidon, the club has reached an agreement with West Ham over Fernandes. While Man Utd are said to be willing to pay no more than £65m for the talented midfielder, some outlets have suggested that the Lilywhites are happy to spend as much as £80m.
Fabrizio Romano has insisted that whoever offers West Ham the most lucrative financial package will end up with the 21-year-old, who's open to joining Spurs despite the absence of European football. De Zerbi is clearly capable of selling dreams.
Moreover, our unofficial transfer embargo with West Ham came to an end last summer when we signed Mohammed Kudus. The Hammers are happy to sell to us at the right price, especially as they require sales off the back of their relegation.
This one seems close, folks. I'm veering towards my overly excited state. Fernandes is one of those midfielders whose easy to fall in love with. There's so much to like.
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