Tottenham Eyes Sandro Tonali as Newcastle Faces Transfer Dilemmas
Tottenham Hotspur has entered the fray of clubs interested in Sandro Tonali, the Newcastle United midfielder. Spurs manager Roberto de Zerbi, a long-time admirer of the Italian talent, had previously targeted Tonali during his tenure at Sassuolo. Now, as Spurs explore the financial aspects of a potential deal for the 26-year-old, they face competition from Manchester City and Arsenal, both of whom have also shown interest, though no formal approaches have been made yet. In a significant move, Newcastle has already sold forward Anthony Gordon to Barcelona for £69.3 million. However, chief executive David Hopkinson emphasized that any player trades will be conducted on "our terms." With Tonali contracted until 2030 after signing a new deal during his recent 10-month betting ban, Newcastle holds a strong negotiating position. The current market dynamics could benefit Newcastle if a bidding war arises. Notably, Nottingham Forest rejected a £120 million offer from Manchester City for Elliot Anderson, while West Ham seeks around £80 million for Mateus Fernandes. Despite Newcastle finishing above Tottenham in the Premier League in three of the last four seasons, Spurs maintain a significant revenue advantage, generating £230 million more than Newcastle in their most recent financial accounts. With plans to raise their salary ceiling, Spurs are keen to secure players who bring experience and physical robustness. Tonali's technical qualities and impressive statistics from the 2024-25 season, which include winning possession back on 109 occasions and making 34 interceptions, make him an attractive option. Eddie Howe, Tonali’s coach, has even expressed admiration for the midfielder's all-around game. While Howe would prefer to retain players like Tonali, Gordon, and Alexander Isak, who recently transferred to Liverpool for a British record £125 million, Newcastle's strategy as a seller is evolving. If a substantial offer of up to £100 million materializes for Tonali, it may be hard to resist, especially considering his form has dipped. However, as the transfer window remains in its early stages, such scenarios are still speculative.
Source: BBC Sport - 2026-06-17