Tottenham agree £100m deal for Sandro Tonali as De Zerbi's rebuild gathers pace
Tottenham Hotspur have reached an agreement with Newcastle United to sign Italy midfielder Sandro Tonali in a club-record deal worth up to £100m.
Tottenham Hotspur have agreed the richest transfer in the club's history, striking a deal worth up to £100m to bring Sandro Tonali from Newcastle United. An initial bid of around £80m was rejected, but Spurs returned with an improved offer of £92.5m guaranteed plus £7.5m in add-ons tied to multiple Champions League qualifications. The agreement comes only days after Spurs agreed an £85m package with West Ham for fellow midfielder Mateus Fernandes, and follows the arrivals of Jan Paul van Hecke, Andy Robertson, Marcos Senesi and Martin Dubravka.
De Zerbi's conviction
Manager Roberto De Zerbi is central to the signing. He sees Tonali as the pillar around which a revamped Tottenham side can be built. De Zerbi has admired the midfielder since his Sassuolo days and is understood to have told his compatriot that the team will be reconstructed to match his strengths. Tonali is said to be enthused by the project and the prospect of living in London, agreeing personal terms that include a significant wage rise. The Italian's arrival signals the scale of ambition inside a club that, despite Europa League success, has spent the last two Premier League campaigns flirting with relegation.
A rapid spending spree
The Tonali and Fernandes deals push Tottenham's summer outlay beyond £230m before any further additions. Van Hecke joined from Brighton for £52m; Robertson, Senesi and Dubravka arrived as free agents. The club is also targeting a left forward, with Bournemouth's Eli Junior Kroupi heading a three-man shortlist. Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain are also interested, and the south-coast club would demand more than £80m. Further recruitment could include a striker to upgrade on Richarlison and Dominic Solanke, with one report estimating the total spend could approach £350m if all plans come off.
- Mateus Fernandes
- 85 £m
- Sandro Tonali
- 92.5 £m
Tonali's journey
Tonali joined Newcastle from AC Milan in July 2023 for around £60.5m but received a 10-month ban from the Italian Football Federation three months later for breaching betting rules. He returned in August 2024 and quickly established himself as a key figure under Eddie Howe, helping Newcastle win the Carabao Cup in 2025 and forming a strong midfield partnership with Bruno Guimaraes. Across 110 appearances since his return he has scored 10 goals and provided 10 assists. He now leaves Tyneside having been coveted by Manchester City, but Spurs have moved decisively to secure him.
- Joins Newcastle from AC Milan for £60.5m.
- Receives 10-month ban for breaching betting rules.
- Returns to action, becomes key player under Eddie Howe.
- Agrees Tottenham move in a deal worth up to £100m.
The signing is the second time this week Tottenham have broken their transfer record, and the sixth major deal of a window that is rapidly reshaping the squad. With De Zerbi pushing for his key targets to be in place before pre-season, further moves are expected in the weeks ahead.
