Tottenham Pursues Sandro Tonali as De Zerbi Pushes for Statement Signing

Tottenham Hotspur have moved aggressively to the front of the queue for Sandro Tonali, with the Italy international described as “ready” to join Roberto De Zerbi’s project in north London – but Newcastle United are preparing to demand well over £100 million to even consider doing business.

The chase for Tonali, already one of the defining transfer sagas of the summer, has exploded into life over the past 48 hours.

De Zerbi’s man

Fabrizio Romano revealed late on Monday that Tottenham are planning a major push to prise Tonali away from St James’ Park, with De Zerbi personally driving the move.

On his YouTube channel, Romano underlined just how serious Spurs have become in their pursuit. Tottenham, he said, have “entered the race very strong, very concrete, very determined” to land the midfielder – and crucially, that surge has been fuelled by Tonali himself.

According to Romano, Tonali is “open to joining Tottenham” and “ready to join Spurs, even without European football, even after a terrible season for Tottenham Hotspur”. The 24-year-old is said to be attracted by the scale of the rebuild and the opportunity to work under his compatriot, with De Zerbi identified as a key factor in his thinking.

The message from Romano was clear: the prospect of Tonali in a Spurs shirt is “really serious, really concrete”. The next step is the hard part – club-to-club negotiations.

Romano suggested a package in the region of €100 million, around £85 million, could be required to get Newcastle to the table. Tottenham, he said, are “going all in” for a player De Zerbi views as central to elevating the project and underlining the club’s ambition.

Arsenal and Manchester City have both been in contact for weeks, Romano added, but it is Spurs who have now pressed the accelerator.

Spurs ownership backs a ‘statement’ move

The momentum has been echoed by David Ornstein of The Athletic, who reported that Tottenham have held “positive talks” with Tonali’s camp.

ENIC, the club’s ownership group, is understood to be firmly behind De Zerbi’s push for what has been described as a “statement signing”. Spurs are “prepared to push hard”, with the head coach driving the pursuit and the board aligning behind him.

While Arsenal and Manchester City have both registered interest in the Italy international, Ornstein’s information is that Tottenham are currently “most advanced” in discussions over a potential deal.

For a club that finished a bruising campaign without European football, the scale of the move – and the backing for De Zerbi – marks a clear attempt to reset the narrative and plant Tottenham back among the heavy hitters in the market.

Newcastle dig in – but Tonali wants out

Newcastle, though, hold the contract and the leverage. And they do not intend to fold easily.

TEAMtalk’s transfer insider Graeme Bailey reports that the Magpies will only consider a sale if an offer comfortably in excess of £100 million lands on their desk. Internally, the club still view Tonali as a cornerstone asset; chief executive David Hopkinson called him “a superstar player” on talkSPORT back in February 2026.

The complication for Newcastle is the player’s stance. Tonali’s camp has informed the club that he wants to leave, with his preference understood to be a return to Italy. His former side AC Milan are among those monitoring the situation, while other Serie A clubs have also been linked.

Ben Jacobs has noted that Tonali would be willing to move back to Serie A, but the overall cost of any deal – fee, wages, and associated add‑ons – makes such a move extremely difficult for Italian clubs to pull off.

On X, Jacobs confirmed that Spurs have opened talks with Tonali, echoing Romano’s reporting. He stressed that the move is “driven by Roberto De Zerbi and backed by the ownership”, with Tottenham aiming to make a “statement signing” and significant funds earmarked to strengthen both midfield and attack.

At this stage, no formal bid has gone in to Newcastle, but the club is “braced for offers”. Arsenal and Manchester City have also made enquiries this year, Jacobs added, yet the numbers involved have so far kept Serie A at arm’s length.

Newcastle’s hand has been strengthened by the £70 million sale of Anthony Gordon, easing immediate financial pressure and allowing them to take a harder line on Tonali. They know, however, that the midfielder is actively exploring his options.

So the scene is set. A manager with a clear vision, a player willing to buy into it, a club ownership ready to spend, and a selling club demanding a premium.

If Tottenham are serious about reshaping their identity under De Zerbi, this is the deal that will show just how far they are prepared to go.