"His preference is still a move to..." as improved contractual offer is being prepared

We are perceived as cuckoos in the top-flight nest

Alarm bells began ringing for me the moment Tottenham were said to be seeking to bundle a player plus cash deal together in respect of the 21-year-old Portuguese midfielder, Mateus Fernandes.

This is supposed to be a key summer transfer target for Spurs and Manchester United from the freshly relegated West Ham United.

Yet Tottenham appears to be hell-…