Tottenham secures Tonali in record deal
Tottenham Hotspur has reached an agreement with Newcastle United for midfielder Sandro Tonali in a deal potentially valued at up to £100m. This transfer is set to become a new club record for Tottenham. The initial payment is reported to be £92.5m, with an additional £7.5m in achievable add-ons. This move follows Tottenham’s previous agreement this week to sign Mateus Fernandes from West Ham for £85m, marking a significant investment in their squad.
Tonali, who is 26 years old, is expected to receive a weekly wage exceeding £275,000 at Tottenham. Reports indicate that he was keen to work with Tottenham’s head coach, fellow Italian Roberto De Zerbi, who reportedly plans to build his team around the midfielder. De Zerbi had identified Tonali as a target several years ago during his tenure at Sassuolo when Tonali was playing in Serie A. Both Manchester City and Arsenal had shown interest in Tonali, though neither club made a formal approach.
Tonali joined Newcastle from AC Milan in July 2023 for £55m. Shortly after his arrival, he received a 10-month ban from the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) for breaching betting rules. Following his return to play, he contributed to Newcastle’s victory in the 2025 Carabao Cup, their first major domestic trophy in 70 years. He also played a key role in the club’s qualification for the Champions League in the same season.
Newcastle’s transfer strategy and future plans
For Newcastle, the sale of Tonali is expected to yield a profit of £45m. The club reportedly believes the fee is strong and that they are likely to receive the full £100m. This sale is seen as an opportunity for Newcastle to strengthen their squad in multiple positions with high-potential players. It is the club’s second-largest sale, with the largest being Alexander Isak’s transfer to Liverpool for £125m.
The impact of this potential sale is already being observed, as Newcastle has reportedly agreed a fee with Hoffenheim for winger Bazoumana Toure. They are in advanced discussions with the German club for the Ivory Coast international, though a deal is yet to be finalised. Newcastle is actively seeking a replacement for Anthony Gordon, who moved to Barcelona for £69.3m. So far this summer, Newcastle has signed 20-year-old goalkeeper Ewen Jaouen.
Tottenham’s significant spending and strategic shift
The acquisitions of Fernandes and Tonali are set to push Tottenham’s total spending past the £200m mark this summer. In addition to these midfielders, Tottenham has also spent £52m on defender Jan Paul van Hecke from Brighton. They have also secured Andy Robertson, Marcos Senesi, and Martin Dubravka on free transfers.
This substantial investment signals a notable change in Tottenham’s transfer strategy, particularly after finishing 17th in the Premier League for two consecutive seasons and narrowly avoiding relegation on the final day of last season. The club’s strong off-the-field revenues are reportedly enabling this increased spending as they aim to improve their performance on the pitch. Tottenham also agreed to sell defender Luka Vuskovic to Brighton for £50m.
The club’s leadership has reportedly committed to increasing spending on transfer fees and wages to compete with top teams, a decision made after their close call with relegation. Tottenham has qualified for European football in 17 of the last 20 years and has maintained a low wages-to-turnover ratio in the league in recent years. The club’s stadium is generating significant revenue, which is now being directed towards strengthening the first team. The Lewis family injected £100m into the club this summer, bringing their total investment since 2025 to £200m, primarily for day-to-day operations rather than direct transfer spending.
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Source: bbc.com
