Spurs close to agreeing personal terms to sign £85m star player

Tottenham Hotspur came out of the blocks with a perfect knot rate at the start of this transfer window.

No other team in the Premier League has shown more ambition than Spurs in the first weeks of summer. To be fair to them, they needed to do something special after a disastrous season.

In an alternate reality, the Lilywhites are relegated and looking to force a move for proven EFL talent.

But the reality is much more exciting than that, and to be completely honest, almost unbelievable.

Spurs have strengthened their defense with the additions of Marcos Senesi, Jan Paul van Hecke and legendary full-back Andy Robertson, and are eyeing the signings of Sandro Tonali and Matheus Fernandes.

Spurs could complete club record deal

If you had told Tottenham fans a month ago that they would not only be in the race for Tonali, but that they had a real chance of securing his signature, they would have laughed in their faces.

But they are here and have already seen their initial bid worth £75m rejected by Newcastle United. Spurs are set to return, with the player reportedly already agreeing personal terms with the club, where a deal is actually being considered.

Tonali’s connections with De Zerbi, who is also from Brescia in Italy, are reportedly helping the negotiations.

That alone won’t be enough to seal a deal, especially with Manchester City and Arsenal interested, but it’s very likely they’ll bring him to north London.

However, Spurs aren’t just looking to sign one elite midfielder. They are also keeping an eye on West Ham United’s Matheus Fernandes.

They have already spoken to the Hammers about a potential move and made an offer to investigate early last week. Now they are talking to the player.

This, according to reports from Spain, suggests that Fernandes is indeed “very close” to reaching an agreement with Spurs on personal terms.

The Irons star is said to be “open” to signing with the Lilywhites, but formal talks have yet to take place with West Ham.

The Portuguese midfielder is widely expected to sign for Manchester United this summer, with Spurs also in the race. One of the biggest issues may be the fees. West Ham reportedly value him at £85m.

Why Fernandes can explode for Spurs like Kudus

Let’s look back at a year ago. Ange Postecoglou had just left Spurs and Thomas Frank became manager.

The goal was to lead Tottenham to the top. There was no chance of finishing 17th again… right? Let’s think again. Whatever the Spurs did last summer, it all unraveled pretty quickly.

Perhaps the best thing they did was sign Mohamed Kudus from West Ham for £55m. The winger ended his season with an injury and subsequently missed the World Cup with Ghana, but was arguably the club’s best player in the first half of the season.

Kudus finished the season with only 3 goals and 6 assists in 26 games, but he was much better than his statistics. Creatively, he was extraordinary. It didn’t take him long to get used to the Spurs colors.

A year from now, the Lilywhites could repeat the same trick and sign another West Ham player, albeit under vastly different circumstances. Indeed, it is widely expected that the Hammers will have to let Fernandes and other first-team stars go after their relegation.

For the Portuguese, they will be signing one of the best midfielders in the Premier League last season. He’s a player who can flourish at Spurs like a duck to water, just as Kudus did.

The benefit of signing a player with a proven track record in the Premier League is that you know what you’re getting. There’s little risk involved, even if the outcome hasn’t always been perfect for Spurs. Richarlison, we’re looking for you.

However, when it comes to Fernandes, Tottenham should be confident of signing another Kudus rather than Richarlison. why? Well, he’s been surprisingly consistent and, at 21 years old, one of the best players at his position across the continent.

When compared to U21 midfielders in Europe’s top seven leagues over the course of the 2025/26 season, the youngster ranked second in progressive pass completions and first in possession wins, defensive duels won and interceptions.

He’s the perfect Premier League midfielder. He has an attacking side but also has a good eye in possession. He is very good at running the ball and, like Kudus before his transfer, he has proven that he can thrive in teams that are not as dominant in possession.

Kudus’ move looked like a masterclass a few months into the season, but it would be an even bigger coup if he could beat Man United to Fernandes.

There’s a real belief here that he can become one of the best midfielders in the world. Although he’s only in his 20s, he’s already easily one of the best players in the league.