Harry Diamond
Tottenham look set to win the race to sign in-demand Benfica star Gedson Fernandes.
The Portuguese international has emerged as one of the most coveted players of the January transfer window after falling out-of-favour at the Lisbon side, with a host of Premier League clubs including West Ham, Chelsea, Manchester United and Everton all reported to have also expressed an interest in signing the highly-rated 21-year-old.
West Ham were thought to be close to securing a deal, though according to The Times, it is Spurs who now appear to have won the race to sign the midfielder, Fernandes set to arrive on an initial 18-month loan deal, though the North London side will have an option to sign the player permanently for a fee of £40m.
Fernandes will prove a welcome addition to Jose Mourinho’s side who have been plagued by injury problems in recent weeks, the club having sought reinforcements in midfield after Moussa Sissoko was ruled out until April after undergoing knee surgery.
Christian Eriksen’s future is also in doubt as the playmaker enters the final months of his contract, chairman Daniel Levy considering selling the Danish international during the winter window with Inter Milan keen on securing a deal to take the 27-year-old to the San Siro this month.
Sky Sports report that Fernandes is now at Tottenham’s training ground to finalise terms, with the club hoping to complete the deal in the coming days ahead of the club’s trip to face a resurgent Watford at Vicarage Road this weekend.
Grealish backed to ‘walk into’ Manchester United, Spurs and Arsenal squad
See also – Premier League Weekend: Heroes and Villains