Tottenham are now “optimistic an agreement can be reached” with West Ham for midfielder Mateus Fernandes, according to reports.

The BBC journalist Sami Mokbel is usually very reliable when it comes to transfer stories.

During his time at his previous job with the Daily Mail, he broke the news that Arsenal would be signing Martin Zubimendi, so his information holds particular weight.

Writing about Fernandes’s situation, he says that “talks are ongoing” between Spurs and the Hammers, with discussions “progressing positively”.

Fernandes will be sold if a team matches his asking price

West Ham want around £80m for the Portuguese international, who they recruited from Southampton for £42m last year.

Fernandes is not thought to be pushing to join a specific team, and he is willing to move to a club that agrees on the highest financial package.

Tottenham have already had an £80m offer rejected by Newcastle for Sandro Tonali, so they clearly have the funds required to meet the price tag that has been set for Fernandes.

Could other clubs enter the race for the West Ham star?

Both Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain have been mentioned as potential suitors for Fernandes, but the two European giants have other priorities.

Real are reportedly more likely to make a move for Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez, while PSG are expected to devote most of their transfer budget to strengthening other positions.

Manchester United remain the biggest threat to Spurs, but there are doubts over whether the Red Devils are willing to meet West Ham’s demands.

The Irons are said to be keen to get the player off the club’s books before the end of the month to avoid any potential breaches of Financial Fair Play rules.

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