Sandro Tonali, the Newcastle United midfielder, had only one destination in mind this summer: Tottenham. According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Tonali made Tottenham his preferred destination from the very beginning, dismissing suggestions of a genuine three-way race with Arsenal and Manchester City.
Romano explained that speculation surrounding Arsenal and Manchester City never reflected the reality of the situation. Tonali immediately gave the green light to Tottenham after the club made its approach, with Roberto De Zerbi’s project proving decisive in his decision.
Tonali’s preference was clear from the day the initial exclusive story broke on June 15. He gave his immediate green light to Spurs, driven entirely by his deep tactical trust in manager Roberto De Zerbi and a belief in the club’s long-term project. Personal terms were wrapped up that same afternoon, making the subsequent two weeks of club-to-club negotiations a formality.
The midfielder’s transfer to Tottenham has been finalized with a record-breaking total package of £100 million, with an up-front fee of £92.5 million and £7.5 million in add-ons. This makes Tonali the most expensive Italian player in the history of the game.
Tonali is set to become the highest-paid player at Tottenham, commanding a staggering wage packet of £275,000 a week. The lucrative six-year contract represents an enormous financial commitment from the club’s leadership, shattering their historical wage cap.
Tonali’s arrival is part of Tottenham’s extraordinary summer transfer window, which has seen the club agree deals for several big-name players. The North London club is signalling its intent to re-establish itself among the Premier League’s elite under De Zerbi ahead of the 2026/27 season.
