Tottenham have entered the race for Sandro Tonali, with reports from Italy saying Roberto De Zerbi wants him as the new star of the midfield. Newcastle want more than £100 million for the midfielder, and his contract runs to June 2029. That makes this a hard deal to move, even before the competition is counted.
Why Tottenham are in the race
The appeal is obvious enough. Tonali has established himself at Newcastle since arriving from AC Milan in 2023, and his recent numbers back up the idea that he is not drifting through the season. His average rating across his last five league games is 7.08, and he has averaged 84.0 minutes across those five appearances.
He has also played five straight league outings, which matters when a club is trying to buy a player who still looks like a first-choice starter. The run has not been spotless, with those five games producing two wins, one draw and two defeats, but it has been steady enough to keep the interest alive.
Fabrizio Romano said: "Tottenham have entered the race to sign Sandro Tonali. De Zerbi wants Tonali as new star for the midfield, ideal to step up Tottenham's level. Spurs ready to face Man City and Arsenal in the race for Tonali for new ambitious project to prove their intentions."
Why Newcastle can hold their line
The real obstacle is Newcastle's position. Giuseppe Riso said: "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."
That is reflected in the numbers around him. Newcastle paid €70 million for Tonali in 2023, then watched him make only 12 appearances in his debut season because of a 10-month ban for breaching betting rules. He is now back to being a major asset, not a cut-price revival project.
The price being quoted is more than £100 million, and the contract to June 2029 gives Newcastle all the leverage they need. Tottenham, who narrowly avoided relegation from the Premier League last season, are clearly planning a bigger rebuild, but this is not the kind of move a selling club has to entertain lightly.
There is also the wider market to consider. Arsenal explored a move for Tonali back in January, while both Manchester clubs have also been linked. Reports have even differed on Manchester United's stance, with one source saying they are still in and another saying they have pulled out. Either way, Tottenham are not entering a quiet race.
If Spurs want Tonali, they will have to pay a fee Newcastle do not seem in any mood to soften. At the moment, this looks like the kind of pursuit that tests a club's ambition as much as its budget, and Newcastle are the ones in control until someone gets close to that £100 million-plus mark.
FAQ
Will Tottenham be able to sign Sandro Tonali this summer?
It looks difficult. Tottenham have entered the race, but Newcastle are demanding more than £100 million and Tonali is tied down until June 2029. He has also established himself at Newcastle since arriving from AC Milan in 2023, so there is no obvious pressure on the club to sell.
Why are Tottenham interested in Sandro Tonali?
Reports from Italy say Roberto De Zerbi wants Tonali as the new star of the midfield. Fabrizio Romano said Spurs are ready to face Manchester City and Arsenal in the race, and Tottenham’s own rebuild has already included a late-season push just to secure Premier League survival.
How much would Sandro Tonali cost if Newcastle sold him?
Newcastle are demanding a fee in excess of £100 million. That comes after they paid €70 million for him in 2023, and his contract runs to June 2029, which gives Newcastle strong leverage in any talks.
Compiled by the ClutchBrief Desk with AI assistance, cross-checked against 2 outlets. How we work →