Tottenham advancing in talks with Mateus Fernandes as they look to fend off Manchester United competition | OneFootball

Tottenham Hotspur have entered advanced discussions to sign West Ham United midfielder Mateus Fernandes.

Spurs have made a strong move for the 21-year-old Portuguese international, conducting parallel negotiations with both the player’s representatives and the West Ham board to strike a deal and give Roberto De Zerbi a key midfield addition.

This acceleration from Spurs comes as they look to overtake long-term suitors Manchester United, with the Old Trafford recruitment team maintaining consistent dialogue with Fernandes’ representatives for several months.

However, Tottenham have changed the landscape by showing a strong willingness to edge closer to West Ham’s premium valuation, whereas United remain reluctant to be drawn into a protracted bidding war.

Fernandes is now open to moving to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium after initially looking like he had his heart set on joining Man United.

West Ham are holding firm on a steep asking price of around £85 million before approving a move for the central midfielder.

The Hammers want to maximise profit on an asset they signed from Southampton for £38 million last summer.

Any leverage potential suitors hoped to use after West Ham’s relegation to the Championship has been neutralised by a £90 million cash injection from shareholders.

This substantial influx has strengthened West Ham’s financial stability, giving them a strong negotiating position to sanction any move for Fernandes on their own terms.

Despite West Ham’s struggles last season, Fernandes’ stock rose considerably, attracting interest from Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, Arsenal, as well as United and Spurs.