Mateus Fernandes: Tottenham interested in West Ham midfielder

Tottenham have accelerated their interest in West Ham‘s Mateus Fernandes as they target a central midfielder following a failed bid for Sandro Tonali.

The 21-year-old Fernandes is viewed as a primary target with talks ongoing and, according to sources, progressing positively and Spurs optimistic an agreement can be reached.

West Ham are understood to want around £80m for the Portugal international, who has also been linked with Manchester United and Paris St-Germain.

Last week, Tottenham had a bid rejected by Newcastle United for Italy international Tonali.

It is understood the offer was worth about £80m, with Spurs boss Roberto de Zerbi a long-time admirer of his compatriot and the club exploring the finances of a deal for the 26-year-old.

Tonali, though, has four years left on his contract, having signed a new deal to repay the faith Newcastle showed in him during his 10-month ban for breaching the Football Association’s betting rules.

Tottenham have made a fast start in the transfer market this summer, having already signed four players.

Earlier on Wednesday, they agreed a deal to sign goalkeeper Martin Dubravka on a free transfer once his contract with Burnley expires on 1 July.

The 37-year-old Slovakian international is another defensive reinforcement following the signings of Marcos Senesi, Andy Robertson – also on free transfers from Bournemouth and Liverpool – and Netherlands defender Jan Paul van Hecke, who cost £52m from Brighton.