Mateus Fernandes, formerly of West Ham, has explained his choice to sign with Tottenham Hotspur rather than Manchester United during the recent transfer window. The move followed West Ham’s relegation, which sparked heavy speculation about his departure.
While both Manchester United and Tottenham pursued the Portuguese midfielder, Spurs ultimately won the race by paying a club-record £85 million fee. Fernandes revealed that a significant factor in his decision was the personal approach taken by Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi.
Speaking to The Athletic, Fernandes noted that De Zerbi maintained daily contact with him and his family. The manager promised to act as a mentor, telling the player he would serve as a father figure in England. Fernandes emphasized the importance of this emotional connection, especially given his parents’ language barrier.
Manchester United had been hunting for midfield reinforcements to address the departures of Casemiro and the injury status of Manuel Ugarte, eventually securing Andrey Santos from Chelsea. Shortly after signing Fernandes, Tottenham broke their transfer record again by acquiring Sandro Tonali from Newcastle United for a deal worth up to £100 million.
