Tottenham join race to sign £80m Man Utd target after stunning Sandro Tonali move

Roberto De Zerbi is ‘pushing’ Tottenham to explore a bid for West Ham star Mateus Fernandes (Picture: Getty)

Tottenham have reportedly joined Manchester United in this summer’s hotly contested race to land West Ham midfielder Mateus Fernandes.

Spurs have set out their stall at the start of the window, signing Jan Paul van Hecke in a £52million deal from Brighton after bringing in both Andrew Robertson and Marcos Senesi on free transfers.

But it appears the north Londoners are just getting started on the back of their near-disastrous season in the Premier League, in which they narrowly avoided the drop on the final day.

Widespread reports earlier this week indicated Spurs had entered the fray for Newcastle central midfielder, with the Italian said to be ‘open’ to the prospect of a switch to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

It’s understood Roberto De Zerbi has played a central role in Spurs’ pursuit of Tonali, actively ‘pushing’ the club’s hierarchy to coax his fellow countryman away from St James’ Park.

According to The Athletic’s David Ornstein, Tottenham are also expressing a strong interest in West Ham’s Fernandes and, as is the case with Tonali, De Zerbi has been at the heart of internal discussions.

Fernandes completed a £38m move from Southampton to the London Stadium just last summer, going on to make 38 appearances in all competitions across an eye-catching debut season at the London Stadium.

The Irons are demanding a fee of £80m for Fernandes (Picture: Getty) Fernandes enjoyed an outstanding debut season at the London Stadium (Picture: Getty)

Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid are also believed to be closely monitoring developments around Fernandes, 21, who is considered one of the most promising young midfielders in European football.

It’s claimed West Ham have responded by slapping a hefty £80m price tag on Fernandes.

The Irons are hoping to raise in excess of £150m in transfer fees following their relegation into the Championship.

Spurs are also pursuing a deal for Newcastle midfielder Tonali (Picture: Getty)

The report adds that Spurs’ interest in Fernandes does not affect their move for Tonali and De Zerbi’s side remain firmly in the picture for the former AC Milan and Brescia star.

It would take a significantly higher offer to secure an agreement for Tonali, who is valued in the region of £100m by Newcastle.

Fernandes’ current contract in east London is not due to expire until 2030, while Tonali has just two years remaining on his deal with the Toon.

A recent report in The Mirror indicated that Fernandes had ‘let it be known’ to West Ham that his preference would be to join Manchester United this summer.

Kretinsky (centre) insists West Ham face no financial pressure to sell key players (Picture: Getty)

‘We have a very credible strategy,’ West Ham shareholder Daniel Kretinsky told The Times when asked about the club’s potential transfer dealings earlier this month.

‘We don’t need to sell the players for financial reasons. We are doing this to make sure we are promoted back to the Premier League immediately. That is our only goal.

‘Key players are waiting for us. They want to see there is a real chance of keeping the squad together. What matters is funding, strategy and consistency.

‘We have spoken to all of them. They need to see that our project is real and serious. Promotion is our only goal.’

Fernandes did not make the cut for Portugal’s 26-man World Cup squad (Picture: Getty)

In an exclusive interview with Metro, ex-England and Manchester United striker Michael Owen talked up the prospect of Fernandes completing a move to Old Trafford to form a ‘great partnership’ with Kobbie Mainoo.

‘I thought he was brilliant last season,’ said Owen, the face of Casino.org in the UK, a leading comparison website helping Brits find online casinos that suit their preferences.

‘I watched him a lot I think he’s a very good pick. He’s reasonably young which is another massive tick. If you’re going to be spending 80 to 100 million then you don’t want to be buying someone that’s in their late 20s.

‘I could see him and Kobbie Mainoo forming a great partnership in there, and the other thing is he should be gettable.

‘West Ham have gone into the Championship and he’s not going to want to be playing in the Championship so I mean I would think that he’s very gettable and I think he’s very good.

‘I personally would be making him my first choice.’

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