Tottenham Hotspur’s extraordinary summer spending spree shows no sign of slowing down, with the North London club continuing negotiations for Sandro Tonali despite already agreeing a club-record move for Mateus Fernandes.
After beating Manchester United to the signature of the highly-rated Portuguese midfielder, Spurs are now attempting to complete another blockbuster transfer that could see them smash their own transfer record for the second time in a matter of days.
The Fernandes agreement stands as one of the standout deals of the summer. Tottenham reportedly reached an £85 million agreement with West Ham United to land the 21-year-old, fending off fierce competition from Manchester United, who couldn’t match the structure of Spurs’ offer.
Fernandes had become one of the Premier League’s most sought-after young midfielders following West Ham’s relegation, with several top clubs tracking his situation. Tottenham, though, moved decisively, tabling a guaranteed package that persuaded the Hammers to sanction the move — a fee that comfortably surpasses the club’s previous record signing, the £65 million spent on Dominic Solanke in 2024, and underlines the growing ambition under Roberto De Zerbi.
Fernandes is expected to bring creativity, technical quality, and progressive passing to the midfield, joining a squad already strengthened by Jan Paul van Hecke, Andy Robertson, Marcos Senesi, and Martin Dubravka this summer.
But Tottenham’s recruitment drive is far from over. Even before Fernandes officially completes his medical, Spurs have stepped up talks with Newcastle United over a sensational move for Italian international Sandro Tonali. De Zerbi is said to view Tonali as central to his long-term midfield rebuild, with the Newcastle star fitting neatly into the possession-based system the Italian is building at Tottenham.
Reports suggest Spurs have already made strong progress on personal terms, with a six-year contract understood to be in place. The main sticking point remains Newcastle’s valuation — the Magpies are said to have knocked back Tottenham’s opening £80 million proposal and are holding out for a fee closer to £100 million.
Should Tottenham eventually meet that asking price, the club would end up spending an astonishing £185 million on two midfielders inside a single week — one of the boldest transfer statements in the club’s modern history, and a sharp departure from Tottenham’s traditionally cautious approach in the market.
With Fernandes on the verge of joining and talks over Tonali continuing behind the scenes, Spurs look determined to build a squad capable of competing at the highest level under De Zerbi, sending a clear signal of intent to challenge for major honours in the seasons ahead.
