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Tottenham have accelerated their interest in West Ham's Mateus Fernandes as they target a central midfielder following a failed bid for Newcastle United's Sandro Tonali.

Fernandes is viewed as a primary target with talks ongoing and, according to sources, progressing positively.

Spurs are optimistic an agreement can be reached for the 21-year-old and the Hammers are understood to want about £80m for the Portugal international, who has also been linked with Manchester United and Paris St-Germain.

Last week, Tottenham had a bid - understood to be worth about £80m - rejected for Italy international Tonali.

Spurs have made a fast start in the transfer market this summer, having already signed four players as they prepare for a first full season under Roberto de Zerbi.

Who would you rather see Tottenham sign out of Fernandes and Tonali? What is the reason behind your choice?

Tottenham have accelerated their interest in West Ham's Mateus Fernandes as they target a central midfielder following a failed bid for Sandro Tonali.

The 21-year-old Fernandes is viewed as a primary target with talks ongoing and, according to sources, progressing positively and Spurs optimistic an agreement can be reached.

West Ham are understood to want around £80m for the Portugal international, who has also been linked with Manchester United and Paris St-Germain.

Last week, Tottenham had a bid rejected by Newcastle United for Italy international Tonali.

It is understood the offer was worth about £80m, with Spurs boss Roberto de Zerbi a long-time admirer of his compatriot and the club exploring the finances of a deal for the 26-year-old.

Tonali, though, has four years left on his contract, having signed a new deal to repay the faith Newcastle showed in him during his 10-month ban for breaching the Football Association's betting rules.

Tottenham have made a fast start in the transfer market this summer, having already signed four players.

Earlier on Wednesday, they agreed a deal to sign goalkeeper Martin Dubravka on a free transfer once his contract with Burnley expires on 1 July.

We asked you which players you have watched at the World Cup that you think would be a great fit at Tottenham.

Here are some of your comments:

Barry: Brian Brobbey, the Dutch centre forward, who is an out and out striker and is a real handful, makes Dominic Solanke look like a League One player. Morgan Rogers would fit in great and can play as an attacking midfielder or on the left.

Adebarro: Brobbey from Sunderland would be my choice to lead the Spurs line!

Pete: German midfielder Felix Nmecha. Imperious. Something Spurs have missed for years.

Josiah: Crysencio Summerville because he is able to run forward and dribble through defenders and score goals. I would also like Vozinha.

Kevin: I'd like to see Spurs go all out for Marcus Rashford, the guy looks in top shape, will have a point to prove to both Man Utd and Barcelona, while still being within the Spurs budget, whatever that might be this season. But don't hang about, that price could go up with a good World Cup behind him.

There was "a real possibility of bias" in a council's decision to let Tottenham Hotspur build a training facility on a London park, the High Court has been told by a campaign group.

The Guardians of Whitewebbs is challenging Enfield Council's decision to grant planning permission for a 16-hectare women and girls' football academy at Whitewebbs Park in north London.

Lawyers for the group argued the decision should be quashed on several grounds, including potential "predetermination", "as Spurs had unparalleled access to senior council figures".

They also claim planning officers got it wrong when assessing the impact on the green belt.

The council, which was Labour-controlled at the time but is now run by a Conservative minority administration, withdrew its defence on Wednesday after its new leader said last month the club was "no longer welcome" to build on the park.

But Spurs are continuing to defend the action, with the club's lawyers telling the hearing the bias claims were "completely overblown" and the decision-making was the "opposite of closed-mindedness".

In written submissions, Jenny Wigley KC, for Guardians of Whitewebbs, said between March 2024 and July 2025, Spurs offered hospitality to senior council leaders six times, which were mostly accepted.

These included the then-chief executive attending a "working lunch" at the training ground, and the then-council leader attending a reception with the club's board to celebrate Spurs winning the Europa League last year.

Wigley said the incidents were in breach of the council's own policy, which expressly forbids this conduct in the context of outstanding applications for planning permission.

She said: "One would readily expect a local Premiership football team to have a close working relationship with the local authority where its training facilities are based.

"However, the closeness of that relationship does not mean that behaviour which would otherwise give rise to the appearance of bias can be excused."

The club agreed a 25-year lease for the site in 2023, a decision unsuccessfully challenged at the High Court in 2024. The plans would see 10 football pitches built on the park near the club's men's training facilities.

In response, James Maurici KC for Spurs said the council's withdrawal of its defence was "purely a political decision" and that the women's facilities allowed the club to "positively respond to gender inequality".

He said members of the planning committee were "never offered or involved in" hospitality, and those who attended publicly declared it.

He added: "Modest hospitality does not give rise to apparent bias unless it is accompanied by evidence that it was intended to influence the decision-maker improperly or that it was excessive. Neither is the case here."

Burnley goalkeeper Martin Dubravka is looking forward to a "new journey" when he joins Tottenham on 1 July following the expiration of his contract at Turf Moor.

The 37-year-old, who called time on a seven-and-a-half year spell at Newcastle United in August 2025, made 35 Premier League appearances last season under Scott Parker, keeping four clean sheets and conceding 71 goals.

"It is an exciting time for me," Dubravka said. "It is a new journey for me and my family, so I'm looking forward to it. I didn't tell anyone, just my family, so none of my friends know that I'm actually here yet because everything moved so fast.

"The most important thing for me is to just enjoy the ride because it is a beautiful game and it is amazing to be a part of this club.

"I will try to bring my experience, that is probably the most important thing I can bring. I'm probably one of the oldest here, so I will try to help the others get better but I will also push myself."

The Slovakia international is Roberto de Zerbi's fourth summer signing after Marcos Senesi and Andy Robertson joined on free transfers, with Jan Paul van Hecke arriving from Brighton for £52m.

"The club is going through a transition," Dubravka continued. "The manager is amazing, I saw the work that he did at Brighton and Marseille so it is going to be interesting to see how he works. I want to learn a lot of things from him.

"Tottenham is of course a huge club with great fans and an amazing stadium so I'm looking forward to it."

Head coach De Zerbi added: "I am very happy because he is a goalkeeper with big experience and a strong mentality.

"He has very important qualities for me and he will bring balance, leadership and competitiveness to our dressing room."

Are you happy with this signing? What role do you think Dubravka will play in De Zerbi's squad next season?

Tottenham have agreed a deal to sign goalkeeper Martin Dubravka on a free transfer when his contract with Burnley expires on 1 July.

The 37-year-old, who had previous spells at Newcastle United and Manchester Untied, played 35 times for the Clarets in the Premier League last season.

The Slovakian is Roberto de Zerbi's fourth summer signing after defenders Marcos Senesi and Andy Robertson joined on free transfers, with the Netherlands defender Jan Paul van Hecke arriving from Brighton for £52m.

Last week, Newcastle rejected an offer worth about £80m from Spurs for midfielder Sandro Tonali.

There are also doubts over the future of Italy keeper Guglielmo Vicario and uncertainty over whether he will stay at Spurs after attracting interest from Serie A clubs.

"It's an exciting time for me, a new journey and new experience for me and my family. I'm looking forward to it," Dubravka said.

"Everything moved pretty quickly and I'm really happy to be here. I've loved watching Roberto's teams over the years and know all about his style, vision and the fantastic fans here."

Tottenham continue to strengthen their defence after back-to-back 17th-placed finishes in the Premier League.

Dubravka is a reliable shot-stopper after playing 197 times in the Premier League, registering 51 clean sheets.

Vicario and Antonin Kinsky both spent time as Spurs' number one goalkeeper last season.

Kinsky, 23, finished the season as number one and produced a stunning save against Leeds United that proved vital in keeping De Zerbi's side in the Premier League.

His form was a swift turnaround from March, when he was replaced in the 17th minute of their Champions League last-16 tie at Atletico Madrid after conceding three goals.

"I am very happy because Martin is a goalkeeper with big experience and a strong mentality," De Zerbi added.

"He has very important qualities for me and will bring balance, leadership and competitiveness to our dressing room."

Aston Villa's 2024-25 end-of-season awards dinner was in full swing when Damian Vidagany took to the stage.

The director of football operations had a message for Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea and Tottenham.

"There is no big six anymore," he declared to loud cheers 12 months ago - and such a sentiment will have plenty of support on Tyneside.

Just as Aston Villa disrupted the established order to qualify for the Champions League in 2024 and 2026, so too did Newcastle United in 2023 and 2025.

Yet the league's highest-earning clubs have hardly withered in the face of the challenge from outside the six, and Spurs' pursuit of midfielder Sandro Tonali is a reminder of that.

Just weeks after Roberto de Zerbi's side narrowly avoided relegation on the final day of the season, they are trying to lure one of Newcastle's best players to North London.

Newcastle hardly had a stellar season themselves - finishing a disappointing 12th place - but the difference is Spurs have greater revenues to fall back on as they try to bounce back come August.

Their most recent financial accounts showed they had generated £230m more in income than Newcastle in 2024-25. As a result, they could offer far superior wages to Tonali and make a meaty bid of about £80m for the Italy midfielder, yet stay within the game's financial rules.

Aston Villa's 2024-25 end-of-season awards dinner was in full swing when Damian Vidagany took to the stage.

Villa's director of football operations had a message for Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur.

"There is no big six anymore," he declared to loud cheers 12 months ago.

Such a sentiment will have plenty of support on Tyneside.

Just as Aston Villa disrupted the established order to qualify for the Champions League in 2024 and 2026, so too did Newcastle United in 2023 and 2025.

Yet the league's highest-earning clubs have hardly withered in the face of the challenge from outside the six, and Spurs' pursuit of Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali is a reminder of that.

Just weeks after Roberto de Zerbi's side narrowly avoided relegation on the final day, they are trying to lure one of Newcastle's best players to North London.

Newcastle hardly had a stellar season themselves - finishing a disappointing 12th place - but the difference is Spurs have greater revenues to fall back on as they try to bounce back come August.

Spurs' most recent financial accounts showed they generated £230m more in income than Newcastle in 2024-25.

As a result, Spurs could offer far superior wages to Tonali and make a meaty bid of about £80m for the Italy midfielder - yet stay within the game's financial rules.

That bid was unsuccessful and although Manchester City and Arsenal have yet to come to the table, Newcastle will be in a strong position to command a bigger fee if several teams make offers.

However, if Tonali does go, Newcastle will have lost three of their four best players in the space of a year after Alexander Isak was sold to Liverpool for £125m and Anthony Gordon moved to Barcelona for £69m.

Newcastle have had to become better sellers following years of imbalanced trading, but it still feels a world away from the feeling around the club going into last summer.

Eddie Howe and his players had not long ended a 70-year wait to win a major domestic trophy by defeating Liverpool in the EFL Cup final.

Newcastle had secured Champions League football for the second time in three seasons.

They had a degree of financial headroom again following several windows of relative parsimony.

Yet it was still a struggle for Newcastle to land their top targets - let alone keep hold of Isak.

"It was very difficult to attract the players that we wanted, that we felt could really make a difference to the team," Howe said last month.

"I certainly don't think that challenge is going to be easier. It's going to be harder."

Those words proved rather prophetic.

Newcastle managed to sign highly rated goalkeeper Ewen Jaouen from Stade de Reims for £18.5m before the window even officially opened.

However, just when it appeared they were in pole position to land top target Victor Munoz, the Spain winger joined Liverpool from Osasuna.

It felt like Groundhog Day for supporters after Joao Pedro, Hugo Ekitike, James Trafford and Benjamin Sesko opted to move to Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United respectively last summer.

Newcastle, as a result, moved further down their list of targets this time last year and, aside from defender Malick Thiaw, they have not yet seen enough of a return from a £100m-plus net spend.

The club cannot afford for history to repeat itself, but it is easy to forget the window only opened on 15 June.

It is also worth remembering that Newcastle have previously managed to attract a number of promising players.

Rather than making any guarantees about the team's success, Howe's pitches have instead centred on development, how his staff work and how they can help take a player's game to another level.

Not every signing has gone on to thrive under Howe, but it was telling that Gordon repeatedly pointed to this "culture" of improvement at Newcastle as he sealed a dream move to Barcelona.

Another international, who followed Gordon to Newcastle, has also gone on to flourish.

"He wanted to come to Newcastle," a source said.

"He had a couple of other opportunities but he had a good chat with the manager and believed in the project, the squad, the club and the league. That's where he wanted to belong.

"His ambition is quite high. He wants to measure himself with the top elite players. It was just a match between Newcastle and him. There's no doubt."

The project is now entering a delicate phase, though.

There has been much talk about Newcastle somehow competing as one of the biggest clubs in the world by 2030 - but it feels like actions rather than words are needed in the coming months.

As the fifth anniversary of the Saudi-led takeover approaches in October, an announcement has still to be made on plans for a new state-of-the-art training ground following the identification of a site in Woolsington near Newcastle Airport.

Then there is the not-so-insignificant matter of the stadium, which feels pivotal in attempting to bridge a huge revenue gap in the years to come.

Newcastle once brought in £2.8m more in match-day income than Spurs when the latter played at White Hart Lane in 2007.

Although Spurs still generated more revenue overall, the gap stood at just £16m at the time.

However, in the respective clubs' most recent accounts, that gap had widened to chasm - with Spurs bringing in 14 times their previous surplus.

That is in part because of a huge difference in match-day revenue between the clubs, with Newcastle's standing at £51.6m in 2024-25 compared to Spurs' £126.5m.

Events and concerts as well as associated partnerships like the NFL and F1 Drive is another significant factor, helping the London club amass £277.1m in commercial revenue for that period compared to Newcastle's £120.2m.

Spurs' ability to offset challenging domestic seasons with strong off-pitch revenue streams is one of the reasons football finance expert Kieran Maguire believes Newcastle will ultimately have to follow suit and build a new stadium - despite the emotional wrench of leaving St James' Park.

"If the Newcastle owners want a football club which is regularly competing for one of the Champions League places, they have to move," he said.

"If they want Newcastle to be a regular top-10 club competing in the Europa League and Europa Conference League, tweak St James' Park.

"That's how significant the decision is."

We asked for your views on how you would reshape Tottenham's midfield, with Lucas Bergvall interested in exploring other options and Spurs' initial bid for Sandro Tonali was rejected by Newcastle.

Here are some of your replies:

Colin: Sell James Maddison, keep Bergvall, sign Palhinha and Tonali, plus Bruno Guimaraes.

Lawrence: Tonali's too expensive in my opinion. It doesn't make sense to spend big on one player when previous seasons proved there are more holes to plug. I would buy Nicolas Raskin from Rangers. He's a decent all-round ball-wining midfielder. I would love to see him link up with Xavi Simons.

Daniel: I would like us to go all out for Adam Wharton. His first thought when he receives the ball is always forward. Brilliant passer and still young.

H: If they fail to get Sandro, then they should go all out to get Wharton from Crystal Palace. His vision, ball control and passing is all that Tottenham need, amongst other positions.

Dave: I want to see us go after Alex Scott at Bournemouth - with him being a Spurs fan, it is a guarantee that he gives everything for the team. Plus he is quality too.

Anthony: I would get Wharton, Scott and Tonali or Scott McTominay.

Richard: Keep Conor Gallagher (maybe make him captain if Cristian Romero leaves) and keep Palhinha, Simons and Archie Gray. Not sure about the other midfielders. Have a look at Harvey Elliot - a very good player whom both Liverpool and Aston Villa don't want.

Sweden's Lucas Bergvall is facing an uncertain future at Tottenham with the midfielder keen for a new challenge.

The 20-year-old is exploring his options after playing limited minutes at the end of last season under Roberto de Zerbi, often not in his preferred position as a 'number six'.

Spurs are also understood to be targeting an additional midfielder and have made an offer of about £80m for Newcastle's Sandro Tonali, which was rejected.

Bergvall's representatives are believed to have held talks with Aston Villa, Nottingham Forest and Chelsea.

However, Chelsea are no longer interested after briefly exploring a move in January.

Bergvall is currently at the World Cup and featured in Sweden's 5-1 defeat by the Netherlands in Houston on Saturday.

He played 33 games for Spurs last season, but missed two month after having ankle surgery.