The talented 25-year-old was one of the most in-demand players with a number European clubs allegedly keeping tabs on the Portugal international.
He scored a stunning 32 goals from midfield last season, creating a further 18, and was linked with Liverpool, Manchester United and Manchester City.
Fernandes’ form hasn’t dipped either and already has 13 goals and 13 assists this campaign.
It emerged that Spurs were the only club to make a serious offer for the Sporting midfielder, but Federico Varandas, Sporting’s president, rejected their offer despite them matching the €65million (£58.5m) asking price
“In the summer I thought I could go out. I believed it was a good time to leave due to many factors. I made the best time of my career to date, Fernandes told Portuguese outlet Record.
“After the UEFA Nations League, there were already many contacts, especially with Tottenham. It was the team that wanted me the most and was the only one I agreed to talk with, because there were other clubs that didn’t interest me or whose project was not up to my expectations.