Tottenham smash transfer record again with £100m Tonali deal

Sandro Tonali is set to undergo a medical at Tottenham Hotspur after the north London club agreed a club-record deal worth up to £100m with Newcastle United — the second time this week Spurs have shattered their transfer fee. The Italian midfielder will cost an initial £92.5m, with a further £7.5m in add-ons triggered by multiple Champions League qualifications, according to multiple reports. The agreement comes just days after Tottenham struck an £85m deal for West Ham’s Mateus Fernandes, and tops that package by £15m at a time when Spurs have finished 17th in back-to-back Premier League seasons. Roberto De Zerbi, who kept his side up on the final day after a 1-0 win against Everton, had made Tonali his top target. The Spurs manager is believed to have told the Italy international he intends to rebuild his side around him, while Tonali is said to be enthused by De Zerbi’s vision and the chance to live in London. The 24-year-old joined Newcastle from AC Milan for £55m in 2023, but endured a 10-month ban for breaching betting rules before returning to help Eddie Howe’s side win the Carabao Cup in 2025. Newcastle have already rejected two Tottenham bids before agreeing this third offer, having previously turned down about £80m. Tonali’s agent, Giuseppe Riso, was involved in negotiations that saw personal terms settled with a significant wage rise. The midfielder was also coveted by Manchester City and Arsenal, but neither club made a formal approach. Former Newcastle forward Alan Shearer questioned the move, telling Betfair: “Tottenham just avoided relegation. I get the attraction of London but going to Spurs who have finished so low over the last two years would be a surprise career move for Tonali in my eyes.” Shearer added: “I know Spurs have a new manager and that may be a pull for him, London obviously. But in terms of the football club, look where they have finished the last two years.” Newcastle, by contrast, have now seen Alexander Isak, Anthony Gordon and Tonali all leave in less than a year. After missing out on forward Victor Munoz, who joined Liverpool, the Magpies have only signed 20-year-old goalkeeper Ewen Jaouen, who has never played top-flight football. Pre-season is right around the corner, and the spotlight will very much be on incomings at St James' Park.