Mateus Fernandes has completed an 85m move to Tottenham from relegated rivals West Ham, becoming the club’s record signing and pledging to “give everything for the club” after choosing Spurs ahead of reported interest from Manchester United.

The 21-year-old midfielder joins Roberto De Zerbi’s side after West Ham’s drop to the Championship, with Tottenham not disclosing the contract length but confirming that Fernandes becomes the costliest arrival in the club’s history.

Fernandes’ 85m fee moves beyond the 65m paid to Bournemouth for Dominic Solanke in August 2024, while reports in England state Spurs have already agreed a 100m deal with Newcastle United for midfielder Sandro Tonali, which would reset the club’s transfer benchmark again if finalised.

Despite West Ham’s relegation in the 2025-26 season, Fernandes delivers strong numbers, scoring five goals and providing four assists across 39 matches in all competitions, and no team-mate completes more tackles or duels during the campaign.

Across that league season, Fernandes wins 73 tackles and 214 duels, both team-high figures, while only Jarrod Bowen creates more chances, with Bowen on 53 key passes compared to Fernandes’ 42, underlining the new signing’s blend of work rate and creativity in midfield.

Speaking to Tottenham’s official channels after sealing the move, Fernandes outlines the motivation behind the transfer and highlights De Zerbi’s influence, describing a shared view on aggressive, energetic football and stressing a desire to connect quickly with supporters.

“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,” Fernandes told Tottenham’s official website. “When we spoke, it was very special. We look at football in the same waygoing onto the pitch as a strong team, with fight and energy, to try and win every game. I can’t wait to get started, to meet the fans, to meet everyone, and give everything for the club.”

Fernandes links up with a Tottenham squad that stayed in the Premier League only on the final day of last season, beating Everton 1-0 while West Ham slipped through the trapdoor, and De Zerbi views the midfielder as a crucial addition ahead of the next campaign.

De Zerbi explains why Fernandes fits the tactical approach, pointing to technical ability, tactical awareness and mentality, and stressing that previous Premier League exposure means the midfielder should adapt more quickly to the demands at Tottenham.

“I’ve admired Mateus for a long time because he combines quality on the ball with the intensity and intelligence that are so important in the way we want to play,” De Zerbi said. “Despite his age, he already has good experience in the Premier League and has shown quality and consistency at this level. Mateus is comfortable under pressure, can progress the ball, works hard for the team and has the courage to make things happen in difficult moments. I believe this is the ideal environment for him to continue his development.”

Mateus Fernandes Tottenham signing among Spurs transfer deals

Fernandes is already the fifth new face of Tottenham’s summer window as the club targets movement away from back-to-back 17th-place finishes, adding depth across defence, midfield and goalkeeping positions to reshape the squad around De Zerbi’s methods.

Spurs have secured free transfers for Bournemouth defender Marcos Senesi, Liverpool legend Andy Robertson and Burnley goalkeeper Martin Dubravka, while Jan Paul van Hecke has reunited with De Zerbi after their Brighton spell in a reported 52m move, giving the head coach several familiar or proven options alongside Fernandes.

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With Fernandes bringing numbers in both defensive work and chance creation, and Tottenham committing large sums in fees and wages, the club heads into the new season aiming to move back towards the upper half of the Premier League table after recent struggles near the relegation places.