Sandro Tonali is poised to leave Newcastle United and join Tottenham Hotspur, with manager Roberto De Zerbi reportedly driving the transfer, according to Fabrizio Romano. The move comes as a surprise given Tottenham’s lack of European football next season, but Tonali is said to be attracted by De Zerbi’s project and the opportunity to work with his compatriot.
Romano reported on Monday night that Tottenham are “very strong, very concrete, very determined” to sign the Italian midfielder. The player himself is reportedly keen on the move, even without Champions League or Europa League qualification. A package of around £85 million, equivalent to €100 million, is anticipated to be required to secure Tonali’s services.
Arsenal and Manchester City have both previously expressed interest in Tonali, but it is Spurs who have emerged as the most advanced suitor. David Ornstein of The Athletic has corroborated reports of positive talks between Tottenham and Tonali’s representatives, noting that the club’s owners, ENIC, are fully supporting De Zerbi’s desire to bring the player to North London.
Newcastle, however, are not expected to make the transfer straightforward. Sources indicate the Magpies will only consider offers exceeding £100 million for a player CEO David Hopkinson previously described as a “superstar”. While Tonali’s camp has communicated his desire to leave, a return to Italy is also a preferred option for the player, with AC Milan among the interested Serie A clubs. However, the financial demands of a deal may prove prohibitive for Italian teams.
Tonali joined Newcastle from AC Milan last summer for a reported £60 million, becoming a key figure in Eddie Howe’s midfield. He made 34 appearances across all competitions for the Magpies, contributing four assists. The potential sale comes after Newcastle secured a significant fee for Anthony Gordon, bolstering their negotiating position. The arrival of Tonali would represent a significant statement signing for Tottenham as De Zerbi begins to reshape the squad.
