In the summer of 2019, Tottenham Hotspur had the opportunity to sign one of the Premier League’s future stars, Portuguese midfielder Bruno Fernandes. It was a deal that could have transformed Spurs’ fortunes, pairing Fernandes with the dynamic duo of Harry Kane and Son Heung-min.
Yet, due to a disagreement over the structure of the transfer fee with Sporting CP, the move collapsed. In hindsight, this failed transfer remains a sore point for Spurs fans, who can only imagine what might have been.
At the time, all signs pointed to Fernandes joining Spurs. The talented midfielder had agreed to the move and was reportedly eager to fulfill his dream of playing in the Premier League. Speaking to The Players’ Tribune, Fernandes recalled:
“The previous summer, there were some rumours about Premier League clubs being interested in me, but the only thing that was concrete was Tottenham. It feels weird to me now, but at the time, I was excited. One of my life goals was to play in the Premier League.”
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However, while the two clubs agreed on the overall transfer fee, Spurs were unwilling to meet Sporting CP’s demands regarding the payment structure. As negotiations broke down, the deal fell apart, leaving Fernandes devastated. Reports suggest he was left in tears in the Sporting chairman’s office when he learned the move was off.
Six months later, Manchester United swooped in to secure Fernandes’ signature in January 2020. Since then, the midfielder has blossomed into one of the Premier League’s most influential players. His arrival at Old Trafford revitalized a struggling United side, and his contributions have been immense.
Fernandes quickly became the club’s heartbeat, providing creativity, goals, and leadership. Now serving as United’s captain, he has won both the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup, solidifying his place as one of the league’s elite talents.
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For Spurs, the failure to sign Fernandes is a glaring example of their struggles in the transfer market. Had they been willing to meet Sporting CP’s terms, they could have added a world-class midfielder to their ranks. Instead, they’ve endured years of near misses and an ongoing trophy drought.
Looking back, Fernandes acknowledged the emotional impact of the failed move but also expressed gratitude for how things eventually unfolded.
“As a kid from Portugal, you can’t help but dream a bit about playing at the big grounds in England,” Fernandes shared. “In the end, the clubs couldn’t reach an agreement, and the deal fell apart. But life has a funny way of working out.”
For Spurs fans, however, it’s a bitter pill to swallow. Watching Fernandes shine for United, knowing he was desperate to join their club, has only added to their frustration.