Tottenham Hotspur are on the verge of completing the signing of Sandro Tonali after reaching an agreement with Newcastle for a club-record fee of £100 million ($133 million), according to multiple British media reports on Wednesday.
Spurs manager Roberto De Zerbi is reportedly set to secure the services of his fellow Italian despite strong interest from Premier League champions Arsenal, Tottenham’s north London rivals, as well as Manchester City.
Reports indicate that an initial payment of £92.5 million, alongside an additional £7.5 million in performance-related bonuses, will bring Tonali to north London. The move follows Tottenham’s agreement to sign Mateus Fernandes from West Ham on Tuesday as part of an extensive midfield rebuild.
The two high-profile transfers represent a significant change in direction for Spurs, who maintained a strict wage policy under former chairman Daniel Levy.
The Lewis family, the club’s majority owners, pledged financial backing for a squad overhaul after asking Levy to step down in September.
They appear to be fulfilling that promise after De Zerbi guided Tottenham to Premier League survival on the final day of last season following a turbulent campaign.
The club has already added experienced players Andrew Robertson, Marcos Senesi and Martin Dubravka on free transfers, while reportedly spending £52 million to sign Dutch defender Jan Paul van Hecke from Brighton.
Fernandes is also expected to complete a move valued at £85 million.
Tonali’s career was previously interrupted by a 10-month global suspension for gambling-related offences.
The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) sanctioned him in October 2023 for violating regulations that prohibit players from betting on football matches organised by the federation, UEFA and FIFA during his time in Italy.
The Italy international joined Newcastle from AC Milan in July 2023 in a £55 million deal, but his suspension came after making just 12 appearances for the Magpies.
In May 2024, Tonali received a suspended two-month ban after admitting to breaches of the English Football Association’s betting regulations.
