Tottenham joins Arsenal and City in £100m race for Sandro Tonali

Tottenham Hotspur have entered the pursuit of Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali, with a reported fee around £100m, joining Arsenal and Manchester City in the transfer battle. The 26‑year‑old Italian is under contract until 2029, with Newcastle holding an option to extend for another year. Tonali is expected to command a fee of around £100m, a figure that raises the stakes of any negotiation. Newcastle United remain calm, insisting the price must be met or the deal will not proceed. He arrived from AC Milan in 2023 for a £55m fee. Shortly after joining, Tonali served a 10‑month ban for breaching gambling rules, during which Newcastle extended his contract.

Tottenham Hotspur pursue Sandro Tonali as Newcastle set £100m price

Newcastle’s recent experience with Alexander Isak, who left for Liverpool for a British record £128m after refusing to train or play, informs their cautious approach. The club therefore aims to avoid another messy exit. Internally, Newcastle have viewed Arsenal as the favourites for Tonali since January. Manchester City have been kept informed but their priority appears to be Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson, while Manchester United have stepped away due to the combined fee and wage demands.

Manchester City Compete with Arsenal and Tottenham for Newcastle Midfielder Sandro Tonali

Tottenham’s interest is said to be genuine and driven by manager Roberto De Zerbi, who seeks a midfielder with control, bite, tempo and Champions League pedigree. Tottenham have lacked a commanding central presence that can shape games rather than merely survive them. The move carries risk, as Tonali arrives with emotional baggage, a huge price tag and doubts about whether Tottenham can offer the same immediate platform as Arsenal or Manchester City. Nevertheless, ambitious clubs sometimes need to enter difficult rooms to be taken seriously again.