Tottenham Hotspur are emerging as the frontrunners to sign Newcastle United’s Sandro Tonali this summer, with the north London club understood to be the most advanced party in negotiations for the 26-year-old Italian midfielder.
According to The Athletic’s David Ornstein, Spurs have already held positive discussions with Tonali’s representatives, placing them ahead of both Arsenal and Manchester City in what is shaping up to be a competitive pursuit. Italian transfer insider Fabrizio Romano has added further weight to Tottenham’s chances, revealing that the player himself is keen on a move to the Lilywhites.
Tonali’s Newcastle Journey
The midfielder arrived at St. James’ Park from AC Milan for £55 million back in July 2023 and has since established himself as one of the more influential presences in the Premier League. A lengthy ban stemming from a betting violation disrupted his momentum, yet Tonali has remained a consistent performer whenever called upon, racking up over a century of appearances for the Magpies along with 10 goals and 10 assists. Despite that impressive record, his future on Tyneside appears increasingly uncertain, with his camp reportedly open to facilitating a departure this summer.
Why Tottenham Make Sense
Spurs’ need for midfield reinforcement is clear following the exit of Yves Bissouma, whose time in north London failed to live up to expectations. While Pape Matar Sarr and Lucas Bergvall represent exciting prospects for the future, head coach Roberto De Zerbi is believed to be prioritising the addition of a proven holding midfielder — a profile Tonali fits neatly. Initial contact has already been made, signalling genuine intent.
Arsenal And City’s Positions
Arsenal’s interest is somewhat harder to explain given the depth Mikel Arteta already commands in the centre of the park. However, with Christian Nørgaard now past 30, the Gunners may be angling for a younger option to share the load alongside Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi — and Tonali’s ability to contribute both in open play and from set-pieces makes him an attractive proposition.
Manchester City’s situation is shaped largely by Rodri’s ongoing recovery from a serious knee injury, while Nico González has struggled to command regular minutes under Pep Guardiola despite solid showings since his arrival from Porto. That said, City’s primary focus in the transfer market is understood to be Elliot Anderson, leaving Tonali as a secondary consideration for the Etihad outfit.
What Happens Next
With City’s attention directed elsewhere, Arsenal and Tottenham are best placed to press their cases. Any deal, however, is unlikely to come cheap — Newcastle are expected to hold out for a sizeable fee for a player who has barely had the chance to reach his peak in the Premier League.
