Transfers
Tottenham's £100m chase: why Tonali tops the transfer list
Tottenham Hotspur have agreed a deal with Newcastle United to sign midfielder Sandro Tonali for a total package that could reach £100 million, including an initial £92.5 million fee and up to £7.5 million in add‑ons, setting a new club record for transfer spending.
Newcastle turned down an earlier offer of around £80 million, prompting Tottenham to increase their proposal. The revised structure now features a £92.5 million upfront payment. An additional £7.5 million in performance‑related add‑ons could bring the total to £100 million.
Roberto de Zerbi, Tottenham’s manager, has long admired the Italian international. He first identified Tonali as a target while managing Sassuolo in Serie A. De Zerbi’s familiarity with the player dates back to those years.
The deal will also eclipse Tottenham’s recent £85 million signing of Mateus Fernandes from West Ham. That agreement set a previous club record earlier this week. By surpassing it, Tonali becomes the most expensive acquisition in the club’s history.
For Newcastle United, the transaction secures a minimum £92.5 million inflow, the highest fee the club has received. Tottenham will add a versatile midfielder to a squad that has lacked depth in the centre. Both clubs stand to benefit financially and on the pitch from the agreement.