Sandro Tonali: Tottenham's Ambitious Pursuit of the Midfielder
Sandro Tonali has become the centrepiece of Tottenham Hotspur’s summer ambition, with the club ready to test Newcastle United’s resolve and Roberto De Zerbi pushing hard to land his first marquee signing in north London.
The Italy international is understood to be open to joining Spurs, even without the lure of European football, with multiple leading reporters confirming both his willingness to move and Tottenham’s determination to get a deal done.
De Zerbi’s statement target
Fabrizio Romano revealed late on Monday that Tottenham have “entered the race very strong, very concrete, very determined” to sign Tonali from Newcastle. The key detail behind that shift? Tonali himself.
According to Romano, the midfielder is “keen on a move to Tottenham” and “ready to join Spurs, even without European football, even after a terrible season for Tottenham Hotspur”. The draw is clear: the project and the coach. Tonali “wants to play for Roberto De Zerbi”, with the Italian manager personally driving the pursuit of his compatriot.
Tottenham’s interest is not casual. It is aggressive. Romano described the possibility of Tonali at Spurs as “really serious, really concrete”, with the club prepared to go “all in” to secure a player De Zerbi views as central to elevating the team and underlining the owners’ ambition.
Arsenal and Manchester City have both been in contact for weeks, Romano added, but Spurs are the club now pushing hardest.
Spurs step to the front of the queue
That view is backed up by The Athletic’s David Ornstein, who reports that Tottenham have held “positive talks” with Tonali’s camp. Crucially, the move is being “driven by head coach Roberto De Zerbi and is backed by the ownership”, ENIC.
The line from inside Spurs is clear: they want a “statement signing” this summer, and Tonali fits that brief. While Arsenal and Manchester City retain an interest in the 24-year-old, Ornstein reports that “Spurs are most advanced over a proposed deal”.
The intent from north London is matched by financial muscle. Ben Jacobs has stated that “significant funds” will be made available to strengthen in both midfield and attack, with Tonali at the forefront of those plans. Talks have opened with the player, but no formal bid has yet gone in to Newcastle.
Newcastle dig in – at a price
If Tottenham are serious, they will have to pay. A lot.
TEAMtalk transfer insider Graeme Bailey reports that Newcastle will not make it easy for Spurs to prise Tonali away. Sources indicate the Magpies will only consider a sale if an offer in excess of £100 million lands on the table.
That stance is underpinned by how highly the club rate him. Newcastle CEO David Hopkinson described Tonali as “a superstar player” on talkSPORT back in February 2026, and despite the turbulence around his time on Tyneside, the valuation reflects that belief.
Newcastle’s position has also been strengthened by the £70 million sale of Anthony Gordon, as highlighted by Jacobs. With that money banked, the club are under less pressure to cash in on another major asset, even as they acknowledge that Tonali “is exploring options”.
Italy’s pull, England’s reality
Tonali’s camp has informed Newcastle that the midfielder wants to leave, with his preference understood to be a return to Italy. Former club AC Milan are among those interested, and Jacobs notes that Tonali “would welcome a return to Italy”.
The numbers, though, are brutal. The total cost of any deal – transfer fee, wages, and associated costs – makes a move back to Serie A difficult to finance. Italian clubs admire the player, but the scale of the package pushes him towards the Premier League’s financial elite.
That leaves an intriguing picture. Arsenal have called. Manchester City have made enquiries. But it is Tottenham, under a new, demanding head coach and with ownership eager to make a statement, who are currently driving the chase.
Newcastle are braced for offers. Spurs are ready to push. Tonali has a decision to make: the comfort of home in Italy, if someone can find the money, or the challenge of becoming the centrepiece of De Zerbi’s revolution in north London.
