Tottenham want to sign Sandro Tonali this summer – but they will have a big task on their hands if they are to lure the Newcastle midfielder away from St James’ Park.
The Italy international is a top target for Roberto De Zerbi as he looks to rebuild his Tottenham squad after helping the club avoid relegation from the Premier League.
Newcastle would only consider selling Tonali, who is under contract until 2029, for a large fee. The Italian’s current deal, signed in 2024 when he was serving a 10-month ban, does not contain a release clause, putting Newcastle in a strong negotiating position.
Here, Sky Sports news journalists Mark McAdam and Michael Bridge offers views from both camps…
The Spurs Vision: A Statement of Intent
Sky Sports News’ Michael Bridge:
“This is a genuine statement of intent from Tottenham Hotspur.
“A few weeks ago, Vinai Venkatesham and non-executive chairman Peter Charrington released statements that Spurs will be busy in the next few windows, starting this summer, and they will back De Zerbi.
“De Zerbi is probably the most hands-on manager Spurs have had for some time. Spurs have the director of football model, but the message is clear – De Zerbi wants big signings and they are after a big player.
“Newcastle United would probably be looking for around the £80m mark, maybe even more.
“But you look at Arsenal, Declan Rice is a £100m signing. He has lifted them on so many levels and Tonali would also lift Tottenham’s midfield to a number of levels.
“But they’ve already taken off. Marcos Senesi is a really good signing, Andy Robertson brings extra leadership to the backline and dressing room.
“They want Jan Paul van Hecke at Brighton, they like [Man City’s] Savinho. They are looking to make some big changes because their message was clear – they will never be at the bottom again.
The Newcastle view: It would require a seismic offer
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Take a look at some of Sandro Tonali’s best plays from his time at Newcastle United so far
Sky Sports News’ Mark McAdam:
“There are a number of suitors in the Premier League for Tonali. There are also many teams in European circles who like him, but there are very few who can probably get to where Newcastle would like to be financially.
“We know Manchester City have been one of the teams watching him over the last few months and Arsenal are big fans of Tonali as well, but it’s a massive deal.
“For Newcastle to sell, which they don’t want to do because he is their prized asset, it would have to be a seismic offer.
“They don’t want to lose someone who is so instrumental to that midfield. One of the great things about Tonali, not only is he very technically gifted but he can play in multiple positions and that is an area of ​​concern for Tottenham.
“They want a midfielder who can command through the middle, who is very good on the ball and can make things happen – that’s exactly the missing piece De Zerbi wants.”
Why did Tonali choose Spurs over staying at Newcastle?
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Sky Sports News’ Michael Bridge:
“Firstly, London would probably be a factor. Maybe he feels he’s had a good couple of years at Newcastle and wants the change.
“I don’t think Newcastle fans would mind me saying it was difficult for him to leave Italy when he came to the club. It doesn’t mean he hasn’t given 110 per cent since and Newcastle fans would say ‘we’ve stuck with him through certain situations he’s had’.
“But with Tottenham you can’t get away from the fact that players still come to this club and when Spurs were in relegation trouble you couldn’t get away from that… you can see the reaction from the club that they mean business and they don’t want to be anywhere near that again.”
‘An interesting summer ahead for Newcastle’
Sky Sports News’ Mark McAdam:
“It’s going to be a really interesting summer in the Northeast. I liken it to when Eddie [Howe] went to the football club for the first time in November 2021.
“That January of 2022 was a transformational window. It was an opportunity to recruit, to sign; it was the start of a new era and they had to rebuild Newcastle United.
“It feels like this is another window that will see a complete refresh of the squad and a different transfer philosophy. They will be looking for younger players.
“You saw last summer they are bringing in players for £50m, £60m, £70m, they were linked with [Bryan] Mbeumo and [Benjamin] Sesko – these are big players who have big salaries and the transfer fees are also huge.
“It’s not going to be like that at Newcastle. They’re going to have to trade in a different circle, they don’t have European football to worry about and the types of players they’re going to be looking at are going to be younger, cheaper, but players that they can mold and develop into Newcastle superstars and that’s going to be the job.
“Newcastle fans have to adjust their expectations a bit this season. The first person who has high expectations is Eddie Howe. He will say ‘I want to be at least in the top half of the table, I want to be challenging for European football, I want Champions League campaigns, I want to get to the latter stages of cup competitions, but I understand that we have to be a little new journey at the start’.”