Tottenham have confirmed the arrival of Benfica midfielder Gedson Fernandes on an initial 18-month loan deal.

Jose Mourinho’s side have an option to make Fernandes’ switch permanent reportedly for as much as £65m in the summer of 2021.

The 21-year-old was heavily linked with a move to West Ham at the start of the month, but the Benfica youngster has turned down the Hammers to join Tottenham.

Fernandes is the first signing made by Mourinho as Tottenham manager and now he is looking to sign at least one striker as cover for Harry Kane.

The England captain is sidelined until April with a hamstring injury and Mourinho believes the club could struggle to make the top four without signing a short-term replacement.

Fernandes, meanwhile, completed his Tottenham medical on Monday and bolsters the club’s midfield options.

With Moussa Sissoko ruled out until April with a knee injury, Mourinho quickly hi-jacked West Ham’s deal for Fernandes.

Mourinho hasn’t decided on his first-choice midfield with neither Harry Winks nor Eric Dier firing on all cylinders and summer signing Tanguy Ndombele unable to stay fit.

Fernandes has had very little playing time for Benfica since breaking into the first team last season, making just 13 league appearances since then.