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Spurs Break Record, Sign Mateus Fernandes for £85 million

8/3/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Tottenham Hotspur signed midfielder Mateus Fernandes from West Ham for a club-record £85 million.
Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi said the club has completed about 60 percent of its transfer plan and may still add a “bomba” signing.
Fernandes said daily calls from De Zerbi and encouragement from teammate Pedro Porro convinced him to join Spurs.
Spurs finished 17th last season and will open the Premier League against Brentford on August 22.

History

Historical Context

In August 2016 Manchester United hired José Mourinho after Louis van Gaal’s exit, signaling a new era of heavy spending. The 2016-17 campaign saw United claim the Community Shield, win the Europa League on 24 May 2017 and finish sixth in the league, securing Champions League entry as the fifth club to hold all three major European trophies.

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Story summary

Tottenham Hotspur signed midfielder Mateus Fernandes from West Ham for a club-record £85 million.
Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi said the club has completed about 60 percent of its transfer plan and may still add a “bomba” signing.
Fernandes said daily calls from De Zerbi and encouragement from teammate Pedro Porro convinced him to join Spurs.
Spurs finished 17th last season and will open the Premier League against Brentford on August 22.

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