Tottenham have officially entered the race for Sandro Tonali, submitting a formal offer to Newcastle United — only for it to be swiftly rejected.
The bid is understood to be worth around £80 million — already a significant step up from the £50 million Newcastle paid AC Milan for the Italian back in 2023. But it wasn’t enough to get the deal over the line.
Spurs have ramped up their pursuit of the 26-year-old over the past week, moving quickly in a bid to pip both Manchester City and Arsenal to his signature.
Newcastle Hold Firm
Tonali is believed to be open to an exit from St James’ Park after Newcastle missed out on European football last season — and Spurs are said to have acted after learning of his willingness to work under fellow Italian Roberto De Zerbi.
But the Magpies aren’t budging cheaply. Despite sanctioning the sale, Newcastle are reportedly holding out for closer to £100 million before they seriously consider letting him go.
Transfer insider Fabrizio Romano has moved to calm any panic, insisting the rejected bid was always part of the plan — with formal talks now officially underway. Romano tweeted: “THFC determined to get the deal done. Spurs keep pushing. De Zerbi wants him.”
The Bigger Picture at Newcastle
It’s been a turbulent summer on Tyneside. Anthony Gordon has already headed to Barcelona for £70 million, while their attempt to land Victor Munoz from Osasuna collapsed after the winger chose Liverpool instead.
Tonali’s agent Beppe Riso has previously hinted strongly at a summer departure, with reports suggesting the player’s camp believe a gentleman’s agreement exists allowing him to leave if Newcastle failed to qualify for Europe.
Should Spurs — or any other suitor — meet Newcastle’s asking price, the Magpies would have cashed in on Isak, Gordon, and Tonali within a single year for a combined £300 million. The real question then becomes how effectively that war chest gets spent.
