Tonali Transfer Battle Heats Up
Tottenham enters competitive race for Sandro Tonali amidst high fee demands and rival club interest
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Key Points
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Tottenham have held “positive talks” with Tonali’s camp, according to The Athletic, but have “yet to make contact with Newcastle.”
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Spurs are approaching the deal without a sporting director: Fabio Paratici left at the end of the season to join Fiorentina, leaving a leadership gap even as the club pushes a “statement” midfield signing.
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Tottenham’s broader recruitment push includes specific moves ahead of a possible Tonali swoop—Andy Robertson and Marcos Senesi were signed on free transfers, while the club have also pursued Savinho, Jan Paul van Hecke and Joao Palhinha.
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Tonali’s Newcastle pedigree is part of Spurs’ appeal: he joined the Magpies from AC Milan for a reported fee of around €70 million in 2023 and was a key starter under Eddie Howe, starting 31 Premier League games last season.
Tottenham Hotspur have entered the race to sign Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali, with manager Roberto De Zerbi identifying the 26-year-old Italy international as his top midfield target this summer. The Athletic reports that Spurs have already held "positive talks" with Tonali's representatives — though the club has "yet to make contact with Newcastle" directly.
Newcastle are braced for bids and are expected to demand a fee of around £80 million or more, according to Yahoo Sports. The Magpies hold a strong hand: Tonali is under contract until June 2029, with no release clause in his deal.
Tottenham and Arsenal Lead a Three-Club Chase
Tottenham are not alone in their pursuit. Yahoo Sports reports that Arsenal and Manchester City are also in the mix, creating a potential three-way fight for the Italian. Manchester United have been repeatedly linked too, while European clubs continue to monitor the situation. The multi-club interest gives Tonali's camp significant leverage heading into the summer window.
De Zerbi is driving Spurs' push personally, according to Head Topics. He wants Tonali as the "marquee" piece of his tactical rebuild — a deep-lying playmaker able to handle the physical demands of his high-intensity system. Spurs chairman Daniel Levy is backing the move as a "statement" signing after two difficult domestic seasons.
Newcastle's Falling Season Fuels Exit Speculation
Newcastle's failure to qualify for European football next season is the single biggest factor pushing this story forward. The club finished 17th in the Premier League in 2025/26, a result that is estimated to cost them upwards of £50 million in lost revenue compared to a Champions League season, per Chronicle Live. Without European nights to offer, keeping elite players gets harder.
Tonali started 31 Premier League games last season and logged 4,242 minutes across all competitions, chipping in with 3 goals and 7 assists. He is described as "happy on Tyneside" but open to a move if the project elsewhere is more ambitious, according to reports. Eddie Howe has publicly called him "vital" to Newcastle's future — though that future now lacks a European stage.
Spurs Push Ahead Without a Sporting Director
Tottenham's recruitment drive is moving fast despite a key leadership gap. Fabio Paratici left the club at the end of the season to join Fiorentina, per Sky Sports, leaving Spurs without a permanent sporting director. The club is pressing ahead anyway, with De Zerbi leading talks directly. It is a structure that carries risk if the manager's tenure proves short-lived.
Tottenham have already signed defenders Andy Robertson and Marcos Senesi on free transfers this window. The club have also pursued Savinho, Jan Paul van Hecke — valued at around £70 million — and holding midfielder Joao Palhinha. The Tonali move, if it goes through at £80 million-plus, would be the headline piece of an already aggressive summer rebuild, according to Football London.
Newcastle Stood by Tonali — Now Face Losing Him
Tonali's story at Newcastle is complicated by loyalty. He joined from AC Milan for around €70 million in July 2023. Just months later, he received a 10-month ban for betting offenses. Newcastle backed him publicly and — according to Daily Mail — quietly signed him to a secret contract extension through June 2029 while he was serving his ban, as a show of faith.
That loyalty makes any sale to a Premier League rival painful for the Geordie fanbase. Local outlets frame a potential move to Spurs or Arsenal as a breach of that bond. But Newcastle's financial reality — no European revenue, strict spending rules to navigate — may ultimately force the club's hand if a bid north of £80 million lands on the table this summer.
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