Tonali Ready for Spurs Move as ENIC Back £85m De Zerbi Push

Sandro Tonali is ready to join Tottenham Hotspur in a deal Fabrizio Romano values at around €100m (£85m), with ENIC backing Roberto De Zerbi’s push for the Newcastle midfielder despite no formal bid having yet reached St James’ Park – and despite Spurs offering no European football next season.

Romano confirmed on Monday night that Tottenham have entered the race with serious intent, describing their approach as “very strong, very concrete, very determined.” David Ornstein of The Athletic added that Spurs have held positive talks with Tonali’s camp and are currently “most advanced” among the interested clubs. Ben Jacobs reported on X at 12:24pm on 16 June that formal talks between Spurs and Tonali’s representatives are now open, though a club-to-club bid to Newcastle has not been submitted.

The Fee Gap Is the Story

Romano’s figure of £85m sits below what Newcastle will actually accept. Graeme Bailey reports that the Magpies will not entertain anything under £100m, a valuation Newcastle CEO David Hopkinson implicitly endorsed when he described Tonali as “a superstar player” on talkSPORT in February. That is a £15m gap between what Spurs appear to be budgeting and what Newcastle will open the door for.

Newcastle’s leverage is considerable. Tonali signed a contract extension in early 2024 running until 2029 with an option for a further year, and Sky Sports confirmed at the time that the deal contains no release clause. Any buying club must negotiate directly with Newcastle at a price of the club’s choosing. The £70m sale of Anthony Gordon has also reduced any financial pressure on Newcastle to move quickly, as Bailey noted.

Why Tonali Is Open to Spurs Despite Their Season

Romano was direct on the player’s position: “Sandro Tonali is ready to join Spurs, even without European football, even after a terrible season for Tottenham Hotspur. Tonali is attracted by the project, wants to play for Roberto De Zerbi.” That is not a reluctant concession – it is a genuine pull toward De Zerbi specifically, with the Italian manager personally driving the pursuit of his compatriot.

Tonali’s first preference remains a return to Italy, with AC Milan among the interested parties, as speculation about a Serie A return had been building before this Tottenham approach emerged. Jacobs was clear, however, that the total cost of any Italian deal makes it implausible – the package that would satisfy Newcastle is simply beyond what Serie A clubs can structure.

The Competitive Landscape

Arsenal and Manchester City have both been in contact with Tonali’s representatives for several weeks, according to Romano, but neither has moved as decisively as Spurs. Manchester United had Tonali on their midfield shortlist but, per Romano, have now stepped away because they consider the price prohibitive – a significant data point that tells you exactly where Newcastle’s valuation sits relative to Premier League spending norms.

Tottenham’s broader recruitment under De Zerbi has already shown ambition. The club has been linked with high-profile midfield targets this window, and the pursuit of Tonali fits the pattern of De Zerbi targeting technically elite central midfielders to anchor his system. Ornstein confirmed that ENIC are backing this one specifically, framing it as a “statement signing” – which means the ownership understands what the cheque will look like.

The Verdict

The player wants the move. The manager wants the player. The owners have sanctioned the pursuit. What Spurs do not yet have is a bid that meets Newcastle’s price, and Newcastle have no financial reason to blink first. Tonali’s contract runs to 2029 with no exit clause – this goes nowhere until Tottenham close that gap to nine figures or beyond. The race is real; the deal is not done.