Newcastle United have rejected an £80 million offer from Tottenham Hotspur for Italy international Sandro Tonali, as the Magpies hold firm on their £100 million valuation of the midfielder.
Bid Details and Rejection
The bid was officially tabled this week, but Newcastle instantly turned it down. According to Chronicle Live, Newcastle believe they can secure £100 million for the want-away player. Despite reports suggesting Newcastle were seeking £85 million, it is understood that only a £100 million fee will be considered satisfactory this summer.
Interest from Multiple Clubs
Tottenham have joined a growing queue of suitors for Tonali, which includes Manchester City, Manchester United, and Arsenal. However, Arsenal have previously indicated they will not pay over the odds for the midfielder. Tonali's agent, Giuseppe Riso, is exploring all options for his client, and Newcastle are open to selling at the right price.
Agent's Comments
Riso had previously stated: "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. The deal came about because a club like Newcastle, with unlimited financial resources, had decided to invest in Sandro. We considered the idea of having the player play in a higher-level league."
Tonali's Future at Newcastle
Newcastle had planned to give Tonali more responsibility, with discussions about offering him the vice-captaincy. Tonali captained the Magpies in a 2-1 defeat to AFC Bournemouth last season, but he may have already played his last game for the club. Despite his previous comments expressing happiness at Newcastle—"I’m happy where I am now. I’ve found people who care about me and I care about them. I don’t want to break any of the bonds I’ve built"—his future now appears uncertain.
Club's Transfer Strategy
Speaking on the club's transfer strategy last spring, CEO David Hopkinson said: "We haven't got an overall strategy with regard to players out, necessarily. We think through what players might or might not want to do this summer. But if an Isak-like scenario presents itself again, any player under contract is going to leave on our terms, and we're going to maximise the opportunity that might represent for the club. Going forward, our strategy is to buy well and sell well. Buying well does not necessarily mean spending the most money. It means working in the marketplace for the players that generate the most value for this club, rather than the fee paid for them."
