It just feels wrong, doesn’t it? West Ham United fans are used to seeing Mateus Fernandes swagger across the pitch in claret and blue.
Watching his unveiling in the Lilywhite of Tottenham Hotspur feels weird. Like seeing Al Pacino turn up in an ill-advised Adam Sandler vehicle. Why is he putting himself through it?
And how on earth did they convince him that this was an idea worth pursuing?
Two days after reports emerged saying that West Ham United were set to make a colossal profit on Mateus Fernandes – Daniel Kretinsky has coaxed £85 million out of Tottenham, up front, too – the one-time Portugal international was officially confirmed in North London.
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As for how Tottenham pulled off the signing of a midfielder on the radars of PSG, Real Madrid, Arsenal and Liverpool – it is also no secret that Fernandes wanted to join Manchester United initially – reports of a staggering wage hike probably do a lot of the hefty lifting.
As did Roberto de Zerbi, it seems.
Tottenham Hotspur confirm the signing of former West Ham United ace Mateus Fernandes
With the combustible head coach luring Sandro Tonali to Spurs as well as Fernandes, one suspects De Zerbi would do alright shipping raincoats in the middle of a drought.
Alan Sugar, the former Spurs chairman, might not have to look too far for his next salesman extraordinaire.
“The Head Coach was a key part of why I have decided to join,” Fernandes told the official Spurs website on Tuesday morning, saying that De Zerbi shares his ‘fight and energy’.
“When we spoke, it was very special.”
Johan Lange, Tottenham’s oft-maligned sporting director, would then highlight the qualities which alerted Tottenham to the former Sporting Lisbon and Southampton kid. Qualities he demonstrated in extremely difficult circumstances during successive relegation campaigns, at the London Stadium and St Mary’s.
“I’m delighted to welcome Mateus to the club,” said Lange.
“He is a player with outstanding technical ability, intelligence and maturity, and even at a young age, has shown he can perform consistently in demanding, high-pressure environments. We believe this is the right place for Mateus to take the next step in his career, working with our outstanding coaching staff and alongside an ambitious and talented group of players.
“I know our supporters will enjoy watching him, as he has the talent, mentality and work ethic to become a very important player both for the present and the future of Tottenham Hotspur.”
Hammers say goodbye to Fernandes in a very short statement
Fernandes spent much of 2025/26 doing exactly that; performing consistently in a demanding, high-pressure environment. Fernandes was West Ham’s stand-out performer; a pillar of reliability and quality even in a team destined for the second tier.
He was, in truth, a Champions League-level footballer in a Championship-bound team. Not that he’ll be playing Champions League football any time soon.
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Considering that Tottenham avoided relegation by the skin of their teeth in May – successive 17th place finishes, lest we forget – Spurs may need Fernandes’ experience of a dog fight should the De Zerbi tenure prove to be as explosive and short-lived as his time across the Channel with Marseille.
West Ham, meanwhile, would keep things blunt and brief in an official statement on their own.
After that some Hammers fans called his Tottenham move a ‘disgrace’ – Fernandes follows Mohammed Kudus in joining their bitter rivals – a gushing farewell probably wouldn’t have been a clever move.
“West Ham United can confirm that Mateus Fernandes has completed a transfer to Tottenham Hotspur for an undisclosed fee,” the club say on their official website.
The 21-year-old Portugal international departs having made 38 appearances and scored four goals for the Hammers after joining from Southampton in the summer of 2025.
“West Ham United would like to thank Mateus for his service and wish him well for the future.”
Potential Fernandes replacements include ex-Leicester loanee Jordan James, Sheffield United’s Sydie Peck and FC Metz starlet Alpha Toure.
According to ExWhuEmployee, West Ham are planning to move for Martin Adeline for ESTAC Troyes; a playmaker who fired his team to promotion with 11 goals and 13 assists in 2025/26.
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