De Zerbi’s Double Dare: Spurs Crash United’s Chase for £80m Fernandes and Eye Tonali Too

Tottenham aren’t just dipping a toe into the summer market — they’re cannonballing in. Roberto De Zerbi has set his sights on West Ham’s highly-rated Mateus Fernandes and, if that weren’t bold enough, he wants Sandro Tonali alongside him. According to David Ornstein, Spurs are primed to barge past Manchester United in the race for Fernandes, while simultaneously working on a Tonali deal. It’s a proper power play from the north Londoners.

Spurs crash United’s pursuit

United have been holding what are described as official talks with Fernandes’ camp and West Ham, and the 21-year-old is thought to like the idea of linking up with compatriot Bruno Fernandes at Old Trafford. But there’s a hitch — no fee agreed with the Irons. Step forward Spurs. Ben Jacobs reported earlier this week that Tottenham made an enquiry for the midfielder, and Ornstein now adds that De Zerbi himself is driving the push.

The player’s future is further muddied by West Ham’s drop into the Championship. By all accounts, Fernandes decided a year ago he wouldn’t stick around at that level after Southampton went down, so it’s no surprise the elite are circling. Tottenham sense an opening — and De Zerbi wants it seized.

De Zerbi’s wishlist: Fernandes plus Tonali

This isn’t a one-name shopping list. Ornstein says Spurs and De Zerbi want both Fernandes and Tonali. Newcastle, however, won’t roll over. The word is they’re after a total package in the region of £100m for the Italy international. West Ham’s stance on Fernandes is similarly steely with an £80m valuation. Two serious cheques, two serious players — and a serious statement if Spurs pull it off.

Meanwhile, Tottenham are also tidying up their current midfield picture. Fabrizio Romano notes that Joao Palhinha is giving priority to staying at Spurs on a permanent deal, despite noise about a return to Portugal. Keep Palhinha, add Fernandes’ legs and Tonali’s control? That’s a De Zerbi engine room with bite and brains.

Busy window, big numbers

Spurs have been the early pacesetters in this window. Andy Robertson and Marcos Senesi are already through the door, and a £52m agreement for Brighton’s Jan Paul van Hecke is in place. They may have landed Robertson and Senesi for nothing, but the meter is still spinning: add a possible Tonali-Fernandes combo to the tally and you’re talking north of £180m before you even factor in the ongoing talks for Manchester City winger Savinho, who’s expected to cost in excess of £60m.

The question now is what budget De Zerbi’s working with for the remainder of the summer. Tottenham want to build from the back and through the middle, and the recruitment profile screams technique plus tenacity — the hallmarks of a De Zerbi side.

Ambition clear after lean years

After two successive 17th-placed finishes, Spurs are acting like a club desperate to shove their way back up the table — and rightly so. Make no mistake, this is the sort of window that can redefine a project. Land even one of Tonali or Fernandes and it’s a marker; get both and it’s a manifesto. Either way, Tottenham are no longer content to watch rivals dictate the agenda.

For fans and punters tracking every twist, this could be a seismic few weeks in N17 — and one to keep an eye on via the season prices across the best betting sites. If De Zerbi gets his men, Spurs won’t just be making noise; they’ll be making waves.