Tottenham are in the market for a statement signing to underline their commitment to Roberto De Zerbi ahead of next season. After successive 17th-place finishes, Spurs are determined to push on under the deeply ambitious, but combustible, De Zerbi after he secured Premier League survival on the final day with a 1-0 win at home to Everton last month.
Targeting Sandro Tonali
In looking for a player to raise the ceiling for a squad desperately short of technical quality, they appear to have landed on Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali, with De Zerbi keen to bring his fellow countryman to north London. The Spurs ownership are also backing De Zerbi in his pursuit of Tonali, though contact has only been made with his representatives and not with Newcastle.
Benefits for Tottenham
The upside of any deal is obvious for Spurs, who lack creativity in the middle of the park. Tonali, 26, is at a crossroads following a disappointing season at Newcastle as they struggled to build on their 2025 Carabao Cup triumph. There is change in the air at Newcastle, with Anthony Gordon having sealed a move to Barcelona, while head of recruitment Steve Nickson is set to move on after 15 years at the club.
What's in It for Tonali?
Despite unprecedented struggles domestically over the last two seasons, Spurs remain an attractive proposition and will fancy themselves to challenge for the European places again if they can show ambition in the transfer window. Pulling off a surprise move for Tonali would be a clear sign of that ambition, and De Zerbi certainly has the gravitas to convince the former AC Milan man to buy into his project.
De Zerbi has consistently talked up Spurs' prospects since taking charge of the club, but he has also been clear that wholesale personnel changes need to be made to the squad. Midfield is not a priority position for Spurs, who will surely look to address their ailing attack this summer. But if Tonali is available, the club must strike, such is his ability to withstand pressure and play line-breaking passes from deep.
Recruitment Strategy
Spurs' recruitment, particularly in midfield, has favoured physical output over technical ability since Johan Lange took charge first as technical director and then as sporting director. This has left Spurs struggling to dictate games in possession when the onus is on them to come out and break teams down - they completed the joint fewest number of through balls (28) with Leeds last season. Tonali will help fix this while also bridging the gap between defence and attack by getting on the ball and driving forward.
Feasibility of the Move
It remains unclear how realistic a move for Tonali would be, with any fee expected to be substantial, but Spurs hold an interest and are keen to test Newcastle's resolve. Following the additions of Premier League-proven defenders Marcos Senesi and Andy Robertson, Tonali would be the marquee signing that supporters have been craving. Spurs would show they mean business if they were to seal an audacious move for Tonali. The question is whether De Zerbi can convince him that the club have learnt from the mistakes of last season.
