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New Tottenham signing Mateus Fernandes has spoken about the personal efforts that persuaded him to reject Manchester United and choose a switch to north London instead. The Portuguese midfielder completed a blockbuster move to Spurs earlier this summer, in what represented a major success for the club in the transfer market.

De Zerbi's personal approach gets the deal done

Fernandes has explained how Roberto De Zerbi’s determined pursuit convinced him to pick Tottenham ahead of a possible transfer to Manchester United. The 22-year-old, who arrived in a deal worth a huge £85 million, said the manager’s commitment towards his family proved decisive. The Portuguese midfielder made it clear that the emotional bond created during those conversations mattered more than the other offers available to him.

"The way he [De Zerbi] spoke with me and my family was very important for me," Fernandes said in an interview with The Athletic. "He was calling me every day, so I’m very happy to work with him, and hopefully we can do great things.

"It was more about [forming a] connection, because my dad and my mum don’t speak English very well. It was more about feelings. He said he would take care of me, that he would be my second dad in England. I’m very happy to work with him."

Porro's late-night recruitment push

While the manager offered emotional reassurance, World Cup winner Pedro Porro played the role of an unofficial chief scout. Porro and Fernandes had previously been team-mates at Sporting CP, and the defender was keen to link up again with his friend. Fernandes remembered an amusing exchange in which he missed a call from the Spain international because he was asleep, only to discover a persistent message from him after waking up.

Fernandes revealed what was in that message: "He called me one day, I didn’t answer because I was sleeping. He said, in Portuguese, 'Come on Mateus, you need to play with us, we want you. It was me that told the manager to bring you.' Then when everything was done, I spoke with him a bit about the club, the mentality in the team, the team-mates as well. He’s an important player. He’s one of the best right-backs in the world. He’s a top guy."

Immediate impact and pre-season heroics

The fee is already beginning to look justified after Fernandes enjoyed an ideal debut against MK Dons. The midfielder struck a stunning volley on his first appearance, a goal he later described as the best of his career. "It was great, no? It was my favourite goal of my career by a mile," he said. "The second one was last season. I need to do this more, to shoot outside the box. I know I can do it."

In spite of Fernandes’ early pre-season heroics, De Zerbi has taken a careful approach with the fitness of his new signing during the rest of the pre-season tour. After he missed the win over Chelsea, the manager quickly dismissed concerns over any injury problem. "Mateus Fernandes can be available right now to play but we don’t want to take any risks with him," De Zerbi confirmed.

The one that got away for Real Madrid

Tottenham’s successful move looks even more notable considering the level of competition for his signature earlier in the transfer window. It has now emerged that Real Madrid decided against signing Fernandes after Jorge Mendes had initially reached an agreement with the Spanish giants.

That allowed Spurs to make their move, with the club keen to rebuild after a poor domestic season. Tottenham finished 17th last term, with De Zerbi securing survival on the final day directly at the expense of Fernandes’ former club, West Ham. After now suffering back-to-back relegations with the Hammers and Southampton, the midfielder will be eager to help his new manager rise up the table and finally bring some stability to north London.