Sandro Tonali remains Tottenham Hotspur’s priority midfield target in the transfer window this summer, but according to David Ornstein they are also taking a long look at recently relegated West Ham midfielder Mateus Fernandes.
Fernandes had five goals and five assists for a very bad West Ham team last season, and is one of the players expected to be sold as the Hammers retool as a Championship club. Manchester United also have a strong interest in the Portugal international.
Fernandes is one of the better players on West Ham’s squad and I honestly wouldn’t mind snapping him up. His numbers and statistical bars don’t pop this season but that probably has as much to do with playing on a very bad West Ham team as it does his actual ability. Fernandes is a deep-lying playmaker who generally sits at the base of midfield but can also play higher up the pitch and on the wing if needed. He did a little of all that for West Ham last season.
Notably he was West Ham’s best and most efficient passer, especially from deep areas, and was the player adept at moving the ball through midfield and recycling possession. He’s also a very good tackler and served as a screen for West Ham’s back line. West Ham didn’t attempt a lot of through-balls last season, but when they did it was usually Fernandes that attempted them. He’s a good player on a bad team.
That also will put him on the radar of a bunch of better clubs, as illustrated above. That said, I think he’d fit the role vacated by Joao Palhinha perfectly, if Spurs plan to make a move for him.
It’s suggested that West Ham might demand £80m for him. They probably won’t get that much, especially in the post-relegation fire sale, but for that kind of money I think I like his profile more than I do Tonali’s, who’s more of a Bentancur than a Palhinha. He’ll cook on a club like Manchester United, so why not move fast and land him first? Depending on price and his willingness to come, I’d be okay with Spurs targeting and signing him. But they still need a passy 8 midfielder in the Adam Wharton mode and I’ll be upset if they don’t get one.