Spurs were keen to continue with the co-sport director model and Sebastien Kehl came close to replacing Paratici after leaving Borussia Dortmund, but the deal fell through, leaving head coach Roberto de Zerbi with more power over player selection.
While Thomas Frank and Igor Tudor had brief stints as managers last season, De Zerbi was appointed on a five-year deal in March and ensured Spurs avoided relegation.
After beating Everton to ensure their survival on the final day of the season, the former Brighton manager suggested the club needed to have a tight transfer window, saying: “We’ve got 10, 11, 12 players good enough to stay.”
Fernandes became his fifth signing of the summer after goalkeeper Martin Dubravka and defenders Marcos Senesi, Andy Robertson and Van Hecke.
The latter is a player De Zerbi knows well, having played under him at Brighton, and the Italian coach is a long-time admirer of compatriot Tonali.
The club’s owners were clearly keen to recruit players with experience and leadership qualities. Although Fernandes is 21, both Lange and De Zerbi highlighted his intelligence and maturity when the club announced his arrival.
Robertson, 32, has won every major honor with Liverpool and has just captained Scotland at the World Cup, while Senesi, 29, has four years of Premier League experience at Bournemouth.
The pursuit of Fernandes and Tonali, players targeted by big six rivals Tottenham, shows that Spurs have increased the team’s wage cap, which under Levy has proven impossible to attract elite players.
As part of their new trading model, there is also an opportunity to improve how players earn money from sales.
That’s highlighted by Brighton’s £46 million move for defender Luka Vušković, a 19-year-old who has yet to play in the Premier League and spent last season on loan at German Bundesliga side Hamburg.
Vuskovic is unlikely to be the last player to leave this summer and further sales will help Spurs reinvest in other areas of the squad that need improvement, with De Zerbi looking to strengthen their attack.