Tottenham 'enter a new era' as £2.3bn reveal starts to show

Tottenham Hotspur's early-summer spending spree should not come as a surprise.

That is the view of Spurs expert John Wenham, who was reacting to news of Spurs agreeing an £85million deal with West Ham for Mateus Fernandes.

Tottenham have also splashed out £52m for Jan Paul van Hecke from Brighton and Hove Albion early in the window.

Andy Robertson, Marcos Senesi and Martin Dubravka have also arrived on free transfers.

Plus there is talk of Sandro Tonali joining Tottenham from Newcastle, even once that Fernandes deal is finalised.

It is a far cry from previous windows when Spurs were either reluctant to spend or failed to land top targets, which could point to a new era being entered.

Tottenham outdo Man United as Mateus Fernandes details emerge

It was reported on Tuesday that Spurs saw off competition from Manchester United for the signing of Fernandes.

The Red Devils, who are no strangers to spending big themselves, were unwilling to match the sum offered by Tottenham.

That alone is something Spurs fans have not been used to, but Wenham believes it is only fitting of a club ranked as the 10th richest in the world.

“Tottenham have spent money in the past, but haven't been able to get deals over the line when going up against the other big six or the big international clubs," he exclusively told Tottenham News.

“I think now the feeling is that they're operating at that level; it seems like the handbrake is now off that Daniel Levy was holding on the club, and Tottenham are now going to be ambitiously attacking each target they want.

“The reports that basically Man United felt like they were financially being pushed out the way by Tottenham for Fernandes would not have been believable last year.

“I think Vivian Lewis and the ownership group of ENIC have decided that having finished back-to-back in 17th, that is too big a risk of gamble for the club.

"Having escaped relegation and probably promised Roberto De Zerbi such a large influence and control when he came into the club, if he kept Tottenham up, which he did, then Tottenham would really have a go this year and would finally act like their resources, ambition and size of the club should be acting.

“Tottenham are just going to act like a different club moving forward. They're now acting like the club that represents being the 10th richest club in world football, finally."

As Wenham says, Spurs are one of the wealthiest sports clubs anywhere in the world and can start to put that money to use.

Exactly how much are Tottenham worth?

Forbes' most recent rundown of the world's richest football clubs lists Tottenham as 10th.

Spurs are said to be worth $3billion (£2.3bn), with a revenue of $733m (£553m).

That puts them ahead of the likes of Atletico Madrid, Juventus, AC Milan and Inter Milan.

Real Madrid top the list, incidentally, on $9.5bn (£7.17bn), with Barcelona and Manchester United completing the top three.

Based on the early-window activity, Spurs are finally putting those finances to good use.