Sandro Tonali has officially joined Tottenham Hotspur, marking a significant move for the north London club. According to reports, the 26-year-old midfielder signed a three-year contract following a deal that includes an initial fee of £92.5 million and an additional £7.5 million in add-ons, totaling £100 million.
Expressing his excitement about the move, Tonali stated that he felt an immediate connection to the club after a two-hour conversation with head coach Roberto De Zerbi. He noted that their discussion regarding the team, the stadium, and the club's footballing philosophy convinced him that he had to sign with Tottenham. De Zerbi praised the new arrival, describing Tonali as a special player and a great addition to the squad.
Tonali moves to London after spending three seasons at Newcastle, having joined the Magpies for £55 million from AC Milan in July 2023. During his time at St. James's Park, he made 110 appearances and contributed to the team that secured the club's first major trophy in 70 years by winning the League Cup two seasons ago. His tenure in the North East was complicated by a 10-month worldwide ban handed down by the Italian Football Federation in October 2023 for betting on football matches. Furthermore, he received a suspended two-month ban in May 2024 after admitting to breaches of the English Football Association's betting regulations. Tonali, a 32-time Italian international with four goals to his name, now looks to restart his career in London.
This transfer represents a major shift in strategy for Tottenham, which has moved away from the restrictive wage structure maintained under former chairman Daniel Levy. The club's majority owners, the Lewis family, committed to funding a squad rebuild after requesting that Levy step down in September. Tonali is the third high-profile signing for the club this off-season, joining Mateus Fernandes, who arrived from West Ham for a club-record £85 million, and Dutch centre-half Jan Paul van Hecke, signed for £52 million. Additionally, Tottenham has bolstered its defensive options by adding Liverpool’s Andy Robertson and Argentinian international Marcos Senesi on free transfers.
