Tottenham's £185m Midfield Overhaul: Tonali and Fernandes in Focus

Tottenham Hotspur have already torn into this transfer window. Four major arrivals are in, Roberto De Zerbi’s squad is taking shape, and yet the real headline business may still be to come.

Because Spurs are now aiming straight at the heart of their team – and at two of the most coveted midfielders in Europe.

Tonali pursuit refuses to die

Sandro Tonali sits at the top of the list. Newcastle United have already rebuffed one huge offer, an £80m bid rejected on June 20 according to Sky Sports, and their stance is clear: they want at least £100m for the Italy international.

That has not scared Tottenham off.

Transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano insists the London club remain locked in on the former AC Milan star. On his YouTube channel, he doubled down on his original line and made it clear that Spurs are still driving this story.

“I stand by my news,” he said, stressing that last week’s revelation – “Sandro Tonali – Tottenham full stop” – still holds. He repeated the pairing again and again: Tottenham and Tonali. Tonali and Tottenham.

“I remain on my position. Tottenham are working on the deal to sign Sandro Tonali, and that remains the case… Let’s follow the situation, but the deal is on.”

No mention of Manchester City. No mention of any other suitor. From Romano’s side, this is a straight line: Tonali to Tottenham, or nothing.

If Spurs do manage to break Newcastle’s resistance, they would be landing a deep-lying midfielder with Champions League pedigree and the kind of profile De Zerbi can build a system around. But he is only half of a remarkably ambitious plan.

Fernandes chase sparks Premier League battle

Alongside Tonali, Tottenham are also pushing for Mateus Fernandes from West Ham United. This is where the window turns into a full-blown bidding war.

Fernandes, a Portugal international, has drawn serious interest from Manchester United as well. Romano has long reported that West Ham value him at £85m, and they are ready to listen to whoever pays the most.

“Mateus Fernandes – one of the most intriguing cases in the recent months on the market,” Romano said. The reason is simple: “The player will go to who’s offering one euro more in terms of club, so West Ham are ready to accept the best proposal, and then it’s going to be on the player, of course.”

Behind the scenes, both Tottenham and Manchester United are working on the deal. United have already brought in Ederson from Atalanta, but they still want Fernandes on top of that. Spurs, for their part, are not treating this as an either-or scenario.

“Tottenham want Tonali and Mateus Fernandes – it’s not one or the other,” Romano explained. “Both clubs are involved now. The story is ongoing while I record this video, both clubs are talking to Fernandes… Tottenham are pushing to close, but Manchester United are still there for Mateus, so we have a big battle which we have to follow till the very end.”

If Tottenham meet West Ham’s £85m price and Newcastle’s £100m demand, the combined outlay for Tonali and Fernandes would hit £185m. Add that to the already completed deals for Andy Robertson, Marcos Senesi, Jan Paul van Hecke and Martin Dubravka, and you are looking at one of the most aggressive rebuilds in the club’s modern history.

The message from north London is unmistakable: De Zerbi will not be easing into this job. If Spurs get their way in the weeks ahead, he will walk into a dressing room reshaped around two marquee midfielders and a squad suddenly built to challenge, not just compete.