Mateus Fernandes Tottenham shirt number confirmed as Spurs announce record £85m transfer

Tottenham Hotspur person confirmed the accomplishment of Mateus Fernandes from West Ham United successful a club-record transfer.

The 21-year-old has made the determination to North London for a reported £85m fee, smashing Tottenham's erstwhile transportation grounds of £65m spent connected striker Dominic Solanke.

Manchester United were initially seen arsenic the starring contenders for Fernandes's signature, but the Red Devils backed distant from a deal aft refusing to lucifer Tottenham's £85m bid.

The Portugal planetary becomes Tottenham's 5th signing of the summertime aft the arrivals of Andy Robertson, Martin Dubravka, Jan Paul van Hecke and Marcos Senesi, but his presumption arsenic Spurs' grounds signing could beryllium breached successful days.

Tottenham person reportedly besides agreed a £100m woody for Newcastle United's Sandro Tonali, who volition soon nexus up with chap Spurs newcomer Fernandes successful the centre of Roberto De Zerbi's midfield.

Mateus Fernandes's archetypal words arsenic Tottenham subordinate aft £85m determination confirmed

A connection from Mateus! ? pic.twitter.com/PwZXhAGpm2

Speaking for the archetypal clip arsenic a Tottenham subordinate to the club's authoritative channels, Fernandes said: "I'm precise excited for this adjacent step. Spurs is simply a monolithic nine and the Head Coach was a cardinal portion of wherefore I person decided to join.

"When we spoke, it was precise special. We look astatine shot successful the aforesaid mode - going onto the transportation arsenic a beardown team, with combat and energy, to effort and triumph each game. I can't hold to get started, to conscionable the fans, to conscionable everyone, and springiness everything for the Club."

Meanwhile, De Zerbi highlighted the qualities that made Fernandes basal retired arsenic a midfield candidate, adding: "I've admired Mateus for a agelong clip due to the fact that helium combines prime connected the shot with the strength and quality that are truthful important successful the mode we privation to play.

"Despite his age, helium already has bully acquisition successful the Premier League and has shown prime and consistency astatine this level. Mateus is comfy nether pressure, tin advancement the ball, works hard for the squad and has the courageousness to marque things hap successful hard moments. I judge this is the perfect situation for him to proceed his improvement and I'm excited to commencement moving with him."

Fernandes registered 4 goals and 4 assists successful 38 games for West Ham pursuing his 2025 accomplishment from Southampton, but helium was incapable to prevention the Irons from relegation to the Championship.

Tottenham corroborate Mateus Fernandes garment number

Tottenham did not instantly corroborate Fernandes's garment number, but the Lilywhites rapidly revealed that the 21-year-old volition beryllium sporting the fig 18 shirt.

Fernandes donned the aforesaid jersey during his clip with Southampton and West Ham, and helium besides wore that fig for Portugal's Under-19s and Under-21s earlier stepping up to elder level.

The past Tottenham subordinate to beryllium bestowed with the fig 18 garment was Yang Min-hyeok, who spent the 2025-26 play connected indebtedness astatine Portsmouth and Coventry City and is yet to marque his elder Spurs debut.

Notable Tottenham players to athletics the 18 see Harry Kane successful 2014-15 and Jurgen Klinsmann successful 1994-95, portion Giovani Lo Celso and Jermain Defoe person besides worn that fig successful caller years.