Alan Shearer has endorsed Sandro Tonali's £100m sale to Tottenham Hotspur, insisting the player's form in the 2025/26 season had become a cause for concern. The former Newcastle and England captain believes Tonali leaves Tyneside having failed to recapture the form that helped the Magpies win the Carabao Cup and qualify for the Champions League, and has welcomed the huge fee for the 26-year-old.
Shearer's Verdict on Tonali's Exit
When asked about Tonali's exit, Shearer suggested he would shed no tears on his departure. Speaking to BetFair, he said: "I'm okay with Tonali leaving. As I previously said on this saga, if Newcastle set their fee at three figures and stick to it then that is fine and that's what they've got. I don't think he had a great season last season. We didn't see the Tonali we saw the season before, because he was incredible the season before. I thought by his own high standards, he didn't hit those heights last season at Newcastle. So, to get that much money for him, I think it's good. I think it's a good deal for Newcastle."
Reinvestment Crucial for Newcastle
But Shearer believes the sale would only have been worthwhile if Newcastle quickly followed up on the star's move to London. He added: "They now have to spend that money wisely. By all accounts, they're going for young, hungry players in terms of £30-or-40-million-pound deals. So, if that's the case, then I'm okay with it."
Frustration Over Spending Rules
Shearer also expressed frustration at Spurs being able to spend at will despite two shocking seasons in the Premier League, while Newcastle were forced to sell Elliot Anderson to Nottingham Forest two years ago for £35m—a sum that now looks paltry given his subsequent £116m switch to Manchester City. The Toon legend said: "This is my argument in terms of the rules in football now on clubs spending. You've got a team who finished 17th twice in a row, yet they can go and blow everyone out of the water in terms of money-wise, where Newcastle can't. Newcastle have had to sell their best young players, had to sell their best players to comply with the rules. So, it never, ever sits easy with me. But that's Tottenham, that's fine, they can do that. I guess De Zerbi got that in his contract, if we stay up, this is what we have to do, otherwise I'm not coming. So, he's in a real power situation. The power is always with De Zerbi in terms of what he wants and what he can do. So, yeah, I'm fine with Spurs spending the money. It's just frustrating that Newcastle with the wealth can't spend like that."
