Sandro Tonali transfer news: Tottenham Hotspur want Newcastle midfielder as Roberto De Zerbi makes Italian top target
Sandro Tonali is a top target for Tottenham head coach Roberto De Zerbi; Newcastle midfielder is contracted until 2029; club would only consider selling for a huge fee; Tonali's contract does not include a release clause; Newcastle have already sold Anthony Gordon this summer to Barcelona
Tuesday 16 June 2026 15:48, UK
Tottenham want to sign Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali this summer.
The Italy international is a top target for Spurs boss Roberto De Zerbi as he looks to rebuild his squad after helping the club avoid relegation from the Premier League.
One of Spurs' top priorities this summer is improving the technical ability of the squad and bringing in a midfielder who can dictate play.
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Tonali has been identified by De Zerbi as an ideal candidate for that role.
The Italian will have a big say on transfers this summer and a move for Tonali would underline Spurs' commitment to backing De Zerbi and their promise to spend significantly on improving the squad.
Newcastle would only consider selling Tonali, who has a contract until 2029, for a huge fee. They do not want to lose him.
Tonali's current deal, signed in 2024 when he was serving a 10-month gambling ban, does not include a release clause, which puts Newcastle in a strong negotiating position.
Sky Sports News reported in April that there was a general understanding that Tonali - along with Anthony Gordon and Tino Livramento - may like a new challenge this summer. Gordon has already signed for Barcelona in a £69m transfer.
Tonali is one of the Premier League's best midfielders and has been high on the lists of Arsenal, Manchester City and Manchester United.
As it stands, City and United have prioritised other midfield targets. City are in talks with Nottingham Forest for Elliot Anderson, while United have agreed a deal for Ederson with Atalanta and are now pursuing West Ham's Mateus Fernandes.
In a summer when midfielders are already coming at a premium, City's move for Anderson, which is expected to cost north of £100m, is likely to have a knock-on effect for other deals.
Spurs' summer transfer plans
Tottenham have got to work early on rebuilding their squad by signing centre-back Marcos Senesi and left-back Andy Robertson on free transfers. Spurs still want to add another defender and are pursuing Brighton's Jan Paul van Hecke.
Brighton have made a £30m bid for Spurs' teenage centre-back Luka Vuskovic. The 19-year-old, who established himself as one of Europe's top young defenders on loan at Hamburg, is keen to move to Brighton, but Spurs are unlikely to accept the current deal on the table.
As mentioned, Spurs are looking to create a squad capable of playing in the style of De Zerbi and finding a central midfielder who can dictate play is a key part of the plan.
Spurs have been searching for a winger to replace Heung-Min Son for a year but have so far been unsuccessful, failing with moves for Bryan Mbeumo and Antoine Semenyo. Man City's Savinho is one of the players on their list this summer.
De Zerbi also wants to bring in another striker, perhaps with the ability to play across the whole front line, to give him a variety of options in case Spurs' injury crisis does not let up next season.
Spurs may also need to sign another goalkeeper if Guglielmo Vicario returns to Italy. Juventus have him on their list as they evaluate a potential transfer, while Inter were previously interested. Antonin Kinsky kept the No 1 spot for the run-in under De Zerbi.
Do not rule out a permanent move for Joao Palhinha if Spurs can agree a fee with Bayern Munich after the set option price expired after the end of the season. Spurs face potential competition for his signature from Sporting.
