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Tottenham has secured Matheus Fernandes from West Ham for a club-record fee of £85 million. Manchester United was also heavily pursuing the midfielder but harbored doubts about his desire to play for the club and was unwilling to meet such a high price for the 21-year-old.
The transfer fee shatters the previous club record of £65 million paid for Dominic Solanke from Bournemouth in August 2024. However, Fernandes's status as a record signing might be short-lived, as a deal for Sandro Tonali from Newcastle, potentially reaching £100 million, is also on the cards.
Manchester United also fought hard for Fernandes's signature, but the club's policy dictates signing players only at the right price and those genuinely committed to playing for the team. In the Portuguese player's case, his preferences remained unclear throughout the entire process.
According to Sky Sports, the London club was determined to win the race for Fernandes at any cost and was prepared to match any offer United might make. Ultimately, the Red Devils were unwilling to reach the £85 million sum proposed by Tottenham.
Last summer, Tottenham missed out on several key targets, including Bryan Mbeumo, who moved to United. This has fueled the management's desire to make a significant transfer statement during the current window.
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