Tottenham Hotspur are on the verge of signing Sandro Tonali after agreeing a club-record £100 million ($133 million) fee with Newcastle United, according to multiple British media reports on Wednesday. The deal, which includes an initial £92.5 million plus £7.5 million in add-ons, marks a major coup for Spurs boss Roberto De Zerbi, who beat off competition from Premier League champions Arsenal and Manchester City for the 26-year-old Italian midfielder.
Midfield Overhaul Underway
This signing follows Tuesday's agreement to bring Mateus Fernandes from West Ham United for £85 million, signaling a dramatic shift in Tottenham's transfer strategy. Previously operating under a tight wage structure under former chairman Daniel Levy, the club's majority owners, the Lewis family, have now funded a significant rebuild. The family promised to back De Zerbi after he guided Spurs to Premier League survival on the final day of last season, following a chaotic campaign that saw the club avoid relegation.
New Era of Spending
In addition to the high-profile arrivals, Tottenham have already secured experienced players Andrew Robertson, Marcos Senesi, and Martin Dubravka on free transfers. The club also spent a reported £52 million to bring Dutch defender Jan Paul van Hecke from Brighton. These moves underline a new willingness to invest heavily in the squad, a departure from the previous regime's fiscal caution.
Tonali's Ban and Return
Tonali's career was interrupted by a 10-month worldwide ban for gambling on football, imposed by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) in October 2023 for breaching rules prohibiting players from betting on matches organized by FIGC, UEFA, and FIFA during his time in Italy. He joined Newcastle from AC Milan in July 2023 for £55 million and played 12 games for the Magpies before the ban. In May 2024, he received a suspended two-month ban after admitting to further breaches of the English Football Association's betting rules. Now, with the ban behind him, Tonali is expected to complete Spurs' midfield revamp and provide a creative spark for De Zerbi's side.
