Mateus Fernandes reveals why he chose Tottenham over Manchester United
Mateus Fernandes explains how Roberto De Zerbi’s personal commitment and Pedro Porro’s persistence secured his record £85m move to Tottenham.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 3.0 / Author: Agência Lusa
Midfielder Mateus Fernandes has opened up about his record-breaking £85 million move to Tottenham Hotspur. The 22-year-old revealed that the personal pursuit by manager Roberto De Zerbi was the deciding factor that convinced him to turn down an approach from Manchester United.
Fernandes highlighted the emotional connection built during negotiations, noting that De Zerbi's commitment to his family was crucial. The midfielder explained that the manager reached out daily, promising to look after him as a "second dad" in England, which significantly comforted his parents, who have limited English proficiency.
The recruitment process was also heavily influenced by Pedro Porro, his former Sporting CP teammate. Porro acted as an unofficial scout, persistently urging Fernandes to join the squad and even admitting to the manager that he personally requested the signing. Since arriving, Fernandes has already made an impact, scoring a stunning volley on his debut against MK Dons.
Tottenham’s successful acquisition is notable given that Real Madrid had initially reached an agreement with the player's agent, Jorge Mendes, before deciding to pass. The signing marks a significant effort by Spurs to rebuild following a difficult campaign that saw them finish 17th.