Tottenham Hotspur has completed the signing of midfielder Sandro Tonali from Newcastle United for a club-record fee that could rise to £100 million. The move marks a significant acquisition for Spurs, who narrowly avoided relegation from the Premier League last season.
Tonali, an Italy international, initially joined Newcastle from AC Milan for £55 million in July 2023. Shortly after his arrival, he received a 10-month ban from the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) for breaching betting rules. Despite the ban, he became a crucial player for Newcastle upon his return, contributing to their Carabao Cup victory in 2025, their first trophy in 70 years.
In a social media statement, Tonali expressed his gratitude to Newcastle, stating it was "time to say goodbye" to the club and manager Eddie Howe. He thanked the fans for their support, the staff and his teammates for their belief and help in his growth, and specifically mentioned Howe as a "guiding figure" who "always had my back."
Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi, who took over in late March and guided the team to safety, described Tonali as a "special player." De Zerbi, who has followed Tonali since his youth at Brescia, expressed happiness at working with him. He noted significant interest from other clubs but highlighted Tonali's clear desire to join Tottenham.
"Given his qualities, there was a lot of interest in Sandro this summer," De Zerbi said. "However, he was very clear in his desire to join Tottenham, and I know our fans will love what he brings to the team."
Tottenham has been active in the transfer market this summer, also bringing in defenders Andy Robertson and Marcos Senesi on free transfers. The potential combined spending on Jan Paul van Hecke, Fernandes, and Tonali could reach £237 million.
Spurs sporting director Johan Lange commented on Tonali's qualities, stating he possesses "outstanding technical quality to go with real football intelligence, and has the character to thrive in a demanding, high-pressure environment."