The Italian maestro swaps Tyneside for North London as Roberto De Zerbi’s transformative summer continues, securing a cornerstone midfielder to anchor Spurs’ ambitious new era at any cost.
Tottenham have completed the signing of Sandro Tonali from Newcastle United, adding the Italy midfielder to Roberto De Zerbi’s squad in one of the biggest Premier League transfers of the summer so far.
The deal is understood to be worth up to £100 million, with Tottenham paying an initial £92.5 million and a further £7.5 million in add-ons. It sets a new club record, eclipsing the fee paid for Mateus Fernandes, who only just joined from West Ham for £85 million.
Tonali departs Newcastle three years after arriving from AC Milan in 2023. He made 110 appearances at St James’ Park and played a key role in the side that lifted the Carabao Cup in 2025, ending the club’s 70-year wait for a major domestic trophy.
For Tottenham, Tonali brings experience from Serie A, the Premier League and the international stage. Comfortable both in deeper roles and as a box-to-box midfielder, he becomes a central figure as De Zerbi continues to reshape his squad.
Speaking after the move was confirmed, Tonali said Tottenham quickly became his preferred destination.
“I’m very happy to be here,” Tonali said. “When I arrived at the Club today, it felt fantastic. People said about there being four or five clubs - there was only one.
“I spoke to the Head Coach for close to two hours about the Club, the fans, the stadium and our football. It was like magic because I knew immediately that I had to sign for Tottenham. I’ve played against Tottenham a few times and always found a great atmosphere made by great fans. I can’t wait to start the season.”
Tonali’s words underline just how important De Zerbi was in making the move happen. Even before the deal was confirmed, reports suggested the Tottenham head coach played a decisive part in persuading the midfielder to swap Newcastle for north London.
Tonali had grown into one of the club’s most recognisable players, and his exit comes during a period of transition for Eddie Howe’s squad. For Spurs, his arrival adds further experience to a summer already marked by several first-team signings.
Tonali steps into Tottenham’s midfield as De Zerbi prepares for his first full season at the helm. While the size of the fee will draw plenty of attention, the real question is how quickly he can settle into a team still finding its shape ahead of the new Premier League campaign.
