Tottenham have joined this summer's transfer race for Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali, according to reports in Italy. Tonali has established himself as one of the most highly regarded central midfielders in Premier League football since swapping AC Milan for Newcastle back in 2023.
A ten-month ban for breaching betting rules meant Tonali made only 12 appearances in his debut season with the Magpies, but the 26-year-old has gone on to become a key member of Eddie Howe's dressing room and was an integral figure in the club's Carabao Cup success. However, Tonali's future has been the subject of intense speculation in recent months and the Toon are bracing themselves for a potential bidding frenzy, with the summer transfer window having opened on Monday.
Tottenham Enter the Fray
According to respected Italian football journalist Matteo Moretto, Spurs are the latest Premier League side to 'forcefully' throw themselves into the mix for Tonali's signature. Tottenham's bitter rivals Arsenal had explored a possible move for Tonali back in January, while both Manchester clubs have also been credited with a strong interest in the Italy international.
But Spurs have asserted themselves as a genuine force in the battle for Tonali and it's claimed they are 'ready to hand the 26-year-old the keys' to their new project under Roberto De Zerbi. De Zerbi is said to be playing a central role in Tottenham's pursuit of a deal for Tonali and is actively 'pushing' club bosses to coax his fellow countryman away from St James' Park.
Tonali Open to Move
Crucially, it's claimed Tonali is 'open' to the prospect of a move to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, despite the club narrowly avoiding relegation from the Premier League last season. Newcastle are believed to be demanding a fee in excess of £100 million for Tonali – just three years after the midfielder arrived in the north east from Milan in a €70m (£60.5m) deal. Tonali's current contract with Newcastle is not due to expire until June 2029.
Speaking to Italian publication Calcio e Finanza back in March, Tonali's agent Giuseppe Riso was unable to provide any assurances over his client's future with Newcastle. Riso also suggested that he and Tonali's inner circle had always viewed Newcastle as something of a stepping stone to a bigger club.
'The deal came about because a club like Newcastle with unlimited financial resources had decided to invest in Sandro,' he said. 'We considered the idea of having the player play in a higher-level league.' On a possible departure from Tyneside for a club such as Arsenal or Manchester City, Riso added: 'Exactly, that was the goal from the moment he went to England – to try to make him a star player. I think he's the Italian footballer with one of the highest values in the world.'
