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Tottenham Hotspur head coach Roberto De Zerbi has identified fellow Italian Sandro Tonali as his top midfield priority, with sources reporting that "positive discussions" have already been held with the player's representatives.
A large portion of Newcastle United's fanbase has come to terms with the likelihood of Tonali departing in the near future, though few anticipated he might be heading to a club that only narrowly avoided dropping out of the Premier League last season.
Spurs came dangerously close to suffering a shocking relegation, with De Zerbi's arrival at the end of March proving crucial in keeping them above West Ham United and out of Championship danger.
The north London club have wasted no time in ensuring last season's struggles are not repeated, securing Andy Robertson and Marcos Senesi on free transfers from Liverpool and Bournemouth respectively, and landing Tonali would send a powerful message about their ambitions.
Tonali Open to North London Switch
Newcastle are preparing for something of a squad overhaul this summer. While boss Eddie Howe remains at the helm, Anthony Gordon has already departed for Barcelona, and Tonali could soon follow his compatriot through the exit door.
The Italian has previously attracted interest from Arsenal, Manchester City and Manchester United, but multiple sources now confirm that Spurs have entered the running.
The Athletic's David Ornstein is among those reporting that Spurs and the player's camp have engaged in constructive talks, though no approach has yet been made to Newcastle, who are anticipated to demand a substantial fee for the former AC Milan man.
The Magpies place enormous value on Tonali and could push Spurs to pay as much as £85 million ($114 million). Having originally signed him from AC Milan for £55 million ($74 million) in 2023, Newcastle stand to make a healthy profit should a deal be completed.
Spurs are significantly further along in negotiations than any of Tonali's other interested clubs. Despite consecutive 17th-place finishes, north London continues to appeal as a destination, even for one of the Premier League's standout midfielders.
Why Spurs Want to Sign Tonali
This move is being driven by Roberto De Zerbi, who has earned significant influence at N17 following his role in keeping the club in the top flight.
Robertson and Senesi have already arrived, but those were deals largely in motion before De Zerbi took charge. Now, the Italian manager is beginning to shape the squad in his own image.
Tonali doesn't differ drastically from the midfield options Spurs currently possess, but the simple truth is he's a cut above them. The 26-year-old isn't the pass-first, deep-lying playmaker many feel Tottenham require, yet he brings enormous quality across multiple areas of the game. He's relentless without the ball and assertive with it. Early comparisons to Andrea Pirlo turned out to be wide of the mark, but Tonali has quietly become underappreciated in possession.
Having revitalised Tottenham's struggling midfield in the latter stages of last season, De Zerbi could unlock the very best from Tonali, who was raised in Lodi, Lombardy—just an hour from Brescia, the city where the Spurs manager grew up.
So while he may not be the ideal midfield profile Spurs are chasing, they would still be acquiring an exceptional footballer who makes a meaningful impact in every phase of play. The asking price will be considerable, however, and questions will inevitably arise over whether this represents the wisest use of their transfer budget.
For De Zerbi, it clearly does — and right now, his view appears to be the only one that truly matters.