Tottenham's Ambitious Double Transfer for Tonali and Fernandes
Tottenham Hotspur have already ripped up their summer script once. They look ready to do it again.
Four major signings are through the door – Andy Robertson, Marcos Senesi, Jan Paul van Hecke and Martin Dubravka – as Roberto De Zerbi quietly rebuilds the spine of his squad. Defence and goalkeeping have been addressed. The gaze has now shifted to the heart of the pitch.
And in midfield, Spurs are thinking big. Very big.
Tonali chase stays alive
Sandro Tonali sits at the top of their list. Newcastle United have already rejected an £80m offer from Tottenham, a stance first reported by Sky Sports on June 20, and their position is clear: they want at least £100m for the Italy international, according to TEAMtalk.
That has not scared Spurs off.
Transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano insists the pursuit is very much active. Speaking on his YouTube channel, he doubled down on his original line that Tottenham are “working on the deal” to bring the former AC Milan midfielder to north London and made a point of stressing that he is not currently mentioning other clubs in the race.
In a market where elite central midfielders rarely move cheaply or quietly, Tottenham are trying to muscle their way into a deal that would reshape De Zerbi’s options overnight. Tonali, if it happens, would be a marquee arrival – a statement that Spurs intend to contest the very top end of the Premier League again.
For now, the stand-off remains. Newcastle hold firm on their valuation. Tottenham keep pushing in the background. The deal, as Romano puts it, is “on”.
Fernandes pursuit raises the stakes
Tonali alone would be a headline. Tottenham are not stopping there.
Romano also reports that Spurs are going hard for Mateus Fernandes, the West Ham United midfielder who has become one of this window’s most intriguing transfer stories. West Ham’s stance is simple: they will accept the best financial offer on the table. The decision after that will rest with the player.
The numbers are eye-watering. West Ham want £85m for the Portugal international, a figure Romano has consistently referenced. Add that to Newcastle’s £100m valuation of Tonali and Tottenham are staring at a potential outlay of around £185m for two midfielders.
It would be a gamble. It would also be a clear declaration that the De Zerbi era will be built around a dominant, technically gifted engine room.
Battle with Manchester United
There is a twist. Tottenham are not alone in chasing Fernandes.
Manchester United, fresh from signing Ederson from Atalanta, are also working behind the scenes to land the West Ham man. Both clubs are in direct contact with the player’s camp, both know the price, both understand that one extra euro – as Romano framed it – could tilt the entire saga.
This is not a straight choice for Spurs between Tonali or Fernandes. Romano is explicit: Tottenham want both. Two elite midfielders, one window, and a battle with Manchester United running in parallel.
As things stand, the story is live. Spurs are pushing to close. United refuse to step aside. West Ham wait for the best bid. Fernandes holds the final say.
Tottenham have already reshaped one part of their squad. If they land even one of Tonali or Fernandes, the feel of De Zerbi’s midfield changes overnight. If they somehow land both, the balance of power in the Premier League’s midfield arms race starts to look very different.
