Former Tottenham full-back Kyle Walker has told his old club to go all out to land Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali.
The Italian has been the subject of transfer talk this week, with Spurs boss Roberto De Zerbi reportedly eager to reunite with his fellow countryman in north London.
Tonali joined Newcastle from AC Milan in 2023 and has since become a core part of Eddie Howe’s engine room, though his long-term future on Tyneside is now in question. Rumours first surfaced when his agent reportedly shopped him to Arsenal in the closing hours of the January window, and uncertainty has lingered ever since. Manchester City and Manchester United have also been credited with interest, but sources suggest a return to AC Milan would be his preferred destination if he does leave St. James’ Park.
Spurs riding a wave of optimism
Tottenham’s pursuit comes on the back of a dramatic final-day escape from relegation, with hopes high that De Zerbi’s March appointment can spark a major turnaround next season.
Walker believes Tonali is exactly the kind of marquee addition that could transform Spurs’ midfield. Asked where Tottenham should invest this summer, he told talkSPORT a player like Tonali could bring far better control to midfield than they’ve had.
Tonali remains hugely popular among Newcastle fans, and there’s mounting concern he could be the next big name to leave following Anthony Gordon’s departure. The Italian has racked up 110 appearances for the Magpies, contributing ten goals and ten assists.
talkSPORT’s Alex Crook reports Newcastle are holding out for at least £90million — a fee that would shatter Tottenham’s current transfer record, the £65m package paid for Dominic Solanke in 2024.
Summer rebuild already underway
Spurs have already been busy this window, bringing in Brighton’s Jan Paul van Hecke, Liverpool’s Andy Robertson, and Bournemouth’s Marcos Senesi.
Walker feels the squad already has plenty of quality and is optimistic the new arrivals can push the team forward. He acknowledged it’s never easy integrating a wave of new signings, but pointed to Spurs’ form at the end of last season as proof that things are trending upward. He praised the calibre of player coming in and said he’s hopeful for a strong season ahead.
He added that Tottenham’s issue last season wasn’t talent but performance, noting the squad looks strong on paper — name-checking James Maddison and Xavi Simons in attack, while stressing the importance of getting a fit Dominic Solanke. He also pointed to depth on the bench as a strength, though flagged uncertainty around Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven as factors that could shape how the season unfolds.
