BBC

Tottenham's £100m midfielder Sandro Tonali has revealed he "spoke with another team", but in the end the decision to join Spurs was an easy one.

"When you speak with a team, the first impression is a big thing and my impression was very positive," added the 26-year-old.

"When you are happy after a 10-minute chat, it's everything - everything is perfect.

"I spoke with my wife - this was the first thing. We wanted to change our life - but not just for the city, we wanted to change everything. We spoke with two clubs."

Tonali said moving to London represented about 10% of the attraction as he wanted his family to be happy, but said football, Roberto de Zerbi and Tottenham's recruitment staff made up the other 90% of his decision.

There was also further discussion about the transfer fee, what it means for him and Newcastle, and how it effectively priced him and his family out of a move back to Italy.

"We had decided to come back to Italy but it was impossible for the money," he admitted, explaining that clubs could afford his wages but not the transfer fee.

"England was our solution and we found the best solution in England for me, for my career, for my football, for my happiness, for my family. I spoke with two teams. I understood after 10, 15 minutes that Tottenham would be my next team."

At Spurs, he joins an Italian contingent within the coaching staff and links up with fellow Italy international Destiny Udogie, but he stressed the move was not motivated by any unhappiness during his time at Newcastle.

Unprompted, he said: "Eddie [Howe] was fantastic for me", adding that he wants to maintain a friendship with his former manager - who is also leaving the Magpies - and Newcastle sporting director Ross Wilson.

While admitting the £100m price tag is something that will bring "a lot of pressure", he went on to explain that he wanted "the best deal" for Newcastle because they "deserve everything", while also praising the atmosphere at St James' Park and the passion of the club's supporters.

Club-record £100m signing Sandro Tonali took "10 minutes" to decide to join Tottenham from Newcastle after meeting manager Roberto de Zerbi at his home.

The 26-year-old said a shared passion for his boyhood club Brescia played a key role in the move.

De Zerbi grew up a Brescia fan and later played for them, while Tonali started his career there, and that connection helped pave the way for the biggest transfer in Tottenham's history.

"We spoke about Brescia, about the difficult situation facing our club," Tonali said, referring to the bankruptcy of his boyhood side following relegation to Italy's third tier.

De Zerbi texted a mutual friend during last season to ask whether Tonali might be interested in joining Tottenham and was told: "He is open."

His immediate focus was securing Premier League survival and, the day after Tottenham beat Everton to avoid relegation, De Zerbi contacted Tonali about a potential move.

Within 10 minutes, he had received a phone call from the midfielder.

A further meeting at Tonali's home, just outside Brescia, followed as talks progressed.

"Brescia is so small. I had two weeks there and met him two or three times," Tonali said.

Tonali said his connection with De Zerbi stretches back nine years to the coach's spell in charge of Sassuolo, when he wanted to sign him.

That brief reign helped launch De Zerbi's managerial career and began what Tonali described as a "mini-connection".

After their meeting this summer, however, he said he knew "everything" about his future manager.

Sources close to Tonali described how those meetings had captivated him, despite interest from clubs with far stronger recent records than Spurs, who had finished 17th the previous season, allowing Tottenham to pull off a coup.

"Honestly, I spoke with another team [also]," Tonali revealed, but in the end the decision to join Spurs was an easy one.

"When you speak with a team, the first impression is a big thing and my impression was very positive.

"When you are happy after a 10-minute chat, it's everything, everything is perfect.

"I spoke with my wife - this was the first thing. We wanted to change our life, but not just for the city, we wanted to change everything. We spoke with two clubs."

Tonali said moving to London represented about 10% of the attraction as he wanted his family to be happy, but said football, De Zerbi and Tottenham's recruitment staff made up the other 90% of his decision.

There was also further discussion about the transfer fee, what it means for him and Newcastle, and how it effectively priced him and his family out of a move back to Italy.

"We had decided to come back in Italy but it was impossible for the money," he admitted, explaining clubs could afford his wages but not the transfer fee.

"England was our solution and we found the best solution in England for me, for my career, for my football, for my happiness, for my family. I spoke with two teams. I understood after 10, 15 minutes that Tottenham would be my next team."

At Spurs, he joins an Italian contingent within the coaching staff and links up with fellow Italy international Destiny Udogie, but he stressed the move was not motivated by any unhappiness during his time at Newcastle.

Unprompted, he said: "Eddie [Howe] was fantastic for me", adding that he wants to maintain a friendship with his former manager - who is also leaving the Magpies - and Newcastle sporting director Ross Wilson.

He went on to explain that he wanted "the best deal" for Newcastle because they "deserve everything", while also praising the atmosphere at St James' Park and the passion of the club's supporters.

Although not referenced directly, Tonali served a 10-month ban for breaches of FA betting rules during his time at Newcastle.

His £100m price tag is also something Tonali admits will bring "a lot of pressure", but he insists he will continue to behave as a "normal" Tottenham player and person in his private life.

"I don't know your impression about football players like me, but honestly, I'm a normal person. When I go back to Italy, I go to my family, to my grandma, to my friends. If it is perfect for my family, it is perfect for me," he said.

We asked for your views on Djed Spence's uncertain future amid reports that manager Roberto De Zerbi wants to convince him to remain at Tottenham.

Here are some of your comments:

James: Keep Spence, sell Destiny Udogie. Udogie cannot stay fit and flatters to deceive when he plays. Djed is a better defender and, as demonstrated playing for England, he is a real threat going forward when given licence to do so. Djed also has a top mentality. I cannot understand why we would let him go.

Tim: It's unbelievable if Spence leaves. Andy Robertson will not give us the longevity, although he is a great player with experience. Just look at the way he tackles and the pace he has. Spence will be superb soon, if he isn't already.

Mark: If there's one player I want to remain at Spurs it's Spence. He's got everything you need in a modern full-back - pace, power and excellent technique. He absolutely loves defending and is great going forward. His pace gets us up the pitch. He was an absolutely warrior for England at the World Cup and proved any doubters wrong. We must 100% hang on to him.

Jerome: Spurs should definitely keep Spence. He is a quality player with a strut and arrogance that singles him out from the rest. If we let him go we will regret it.

Alan: Spence should start on the left ahead of Udogie. Both are good going forward but have defensive weaknesses. Spence showed at the World Cup he has more to offer and should continue to improve.

Josephine: After last season, I see a better one ahead and good signings set the ball rolling. I would really like Spence to stay. He more than showed how good he is while playing for England. A must for Spurs.

Roberto de Zerbi says his side are targeting another attacker signing alongside their pursuit of Manchester City's Savinho.

The Brazilian in advanced talks over a move to north London, with Spurs also pursuing another unnamed target.

De Zerbi omitted the name of the player by design - but it will leave Spurs fans guessing who it could be.

Arguably the biggest available name is Paris St-Germain winger Bradley Barcola, who is valued at more than £140m and exploring his options away from the European champions. Liverpool are believed to be preparing an opening bid for the France international, who has also been on Arsenal's radar.

Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford has a £40m release clause in his contract, although his £325,000-a-week deal, which runs until 2028, could prove a stumbling block.

There is also a sense that, following his loan spell at Barcelona, the England international would prefer another move abroad after the Spanish champions opted against triggering a £26m option to buy.

Other potential targets could include Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen, Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo, Chelsea's Pedro Neto or AC Milan winger Rafael Leao.

However, any suggestion remains speculative until Spurs reveal their hand or one of the clubs involved confirms an approach from chief executive Vinai Venkatesham and sporting director Johan Lange.

Tottenham manager Roberto de Zerbi says he wants to convince Djed Spence to stay at the club amid uncertainty over his future.

The 25-year-old defender, who signed a long-term deal with the club last year, has been linked with a move to Inter Milan and Everton.

De Zerbi says he sees Spence as an important part of his plans despite increased competition in his role after a summer of significant spending.

Spurs have spent a club record £237m so far this summer as they rebuild their squad after narrowly avoiding relegation on the final day of last season's Premier League.

"I repeat what I said to Djed, and to Lucas [Bergvall]," De Zerbi said, referencing comments he made about the in-demand Sweden midfielder a day earlier.

"I would like you to stay if you want to stay. If you don't want to stay, if you want to leave, then you have to leave."

Spence started in 23 of his 30 league appearances in 2025-26 as Spurs finished 17th for the second season in a row.

Spain's World Cup winner Pedro Porro currently occupies Spence's preferred right-back position at Tottenham - and De Zerbi has said he regards Porro as the "best in the world" in his role.

What do you want to happen with Spence? Do you think Tottenham would regret allowing him to leave?

Tottenham manager Roberto de Zerbi says he wants to convince England defender Djed Spence to stay at the club amid uncertainty over his future.

The 25-year-old, who signed a long-term deal with the club last year, has been linked with a move to Inter Milan and Everton.

De Zerbi says he sees Spence as an important part of his plans despite increased competition in his role after a summer of significant spending.

Spurs have spent a club record £237m so far this summer as they rebuild their squad after narrowly avoiding relegation on the final day of last season's Premier League.

"I repeat what I said to Djed, and to Lucas [Bergvall]," De Zerbi said, referencing comments he made about the in-demand Sweden midfielder a day earlier.

"I would like you to stay if you want to stay. If you don't want to stay, if you want to leave, then you have to leave."

Spence started in 23 of his 30 Premier League appearances last year as Spurs finished 17th for the second season in a row.

Spain's World Cup winner Pedro Porro currently occupies Spence's preferred right-back position at Tottenham.

De Zerbi said he regarded Porro as the "best in the world" in his role.

Captain Cristian Romero is among those likely to leave the club.

Romero was criticised for his decision to fly back to Argentina while injured before the final game of the season - a match for which he did ultimately return.

De Zerbi said it was wrong to criticise Romero for his initial decision, saying he had shown "unbelievable behaviour" during the Italian's time at the club, but accepted it was "his will" to leave.

"At the beginning of my time in April I had, I don't know, one million individual meetings. And the players told me if they are (staying) here (or not)," he said.

"I said: 'Yes, help me to stay up, and then I help you to leave. If you don't help me to stay up, you stay underwater with me.'"

Italian goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario is also expected to depart after losing his place to Antonin Kinsky.

Earlier this month, Spurs broke their transfer record twice in two days, first signing midfielder Mateus Fernandes from West Ham for £85m before bringing in Sandro Tonali from Newcastle for £100m.

Jan Paul van Hecke has also joined from Brighton in a £52m deal, alongside the free transfers of experienced trio Marcos Senesi, Andrew Robertson and Martin Dubravka.

De Zerbi says his side are targeting another attacking signing alongside their pursuit of Manchester City's Savinho.

The Brazilian is among the attacking players in advanced talks over a move to north London, with Spurs also pursuing another unnamed target.

Speaking in Sydney, De Zerbi said: "The transfer market is not finished for sure, but we have completed 60% of our project. Now we have another 'bomba'."

Asked whether he was referring to a winger or a striker, the former Brighton and Marseille manager replied: "Attackers.

"I don't love working with plan A, plan B, plan C. It is plan A, full stop, because all players are not the same.

"We have to increase the number of goals."

De Zerbi said he had been like a "shark" this summer while pursuing targets.

It is clear from Tottenham's summer transfer business that they have big ambitions in the Women's Super League next season.

Martin Ho's side have strengthened in the market, building a squad that, on paper, could cause a stir among the league's top clubs.

They finished fifth in the WSL last season - a significant improvement on the year before when they flirted with relegation.

Tottenham broke their club-record signing this summer to bring in France defender Alice Sombath from Lyon, having spent around £375,000 on Signe Gaupset in January.

They also signed forwards Shekiera Martinez and Kirsty Hanson, defender Caitlin Dijkstra, midfielder Victoria Pelova and goalkeeper Selma Panengstuen.

So how have they approached their transfer business and what are the club's ambitions this year?

It is Spurs' seventh season in the top flight and their growth has been vast - the number of staff has increased and training facilities have improved.

They have their own base at the club's training centre on Hotspur Way but plans for a new women and girls academy facility was blocked in court this week.

Just months after promotion in 2019, they hosted almost 40,000 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for the north London derby defeat by Arsenal.

A year later, they signed USA superstar Alex Morgan on a short-term loan after she gave birth and in 2024 they reached the Women's FA Cup final.

A disappointing season under Robert Vilahamn in 2024-25 led to his sacking and Ho's subsequent arrival, and Spurs jumped back up the table in his debut campaign.

Since Ho joined the club in July 2025, Tottenham have had a 12-month plan for recruitment and had identified targets in the three windows that followed.

Talks with striker Cathinka Tandberg and defender Toko Koga, who both joined in 2025, were advanced before Ho's contract was finalised and they have become key players under him.

Ho took time to look at the squad in his first summer to see what was needed before implementing widespread evolution plans.

Since then, sources at Tottenham say they signed all of their key targets in January and have already done the same this summer despite the window remaining open until 3 September.

There was a deliberate attempt to get deals wrapped up early so Ho could work with the entire squad for a full pre-season programme.

Meanwhile, managing director Andy Rogers, who has been at Spurs for 24 years, has led their transfer business this summer, keen to leave the club in a strong position and ensure a smooth handover before he steps down.

What that forward-planning and successful business does for Tottenham will be clearer at the end of the season.

They have consolidated their position as a WSL club and have enough off-field resources to start building towards European football.

Ho has been consistent in his messaging, stressing Tottenham's ambition is to compete with the WSL's best and to build a squad capable of playing in Europe.

With only the top three teams in the WSL qualifying for the Women's Champions League and with Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United dominating those spots, it is a huge step for Tottenham to make.

They also have to compete with fellow big-spenders London City Lionesses and Brighton, who themselves have ambitions of breaking into the top three.

Their investment and growth has been a catalyst for Spurs, who know they cannot be left behind in a period when transfer fee records are constantly being broken.

It is also a period in the women's game's development when discussions involving financial regulations and salary caps are still in their infancy.

That means clubs have the ability to pour in more money should they wish and with little regulatory fightback - though that could change in the near future.

Tottenham's spending on the women's side this summer has coincided with an ambitious window for the men's team, who are looking to bounce back from a poor campaign that almost led to their relegation from the Premier League.

It is part of an overall change in strategy following the departure of chairman Daniel Levy in September 2025 and subsequent movement in the boardroom.

Vinai Venkatesham also joined as chief executive officer from Arsenal in April 2025 and was crucial in their women's team's success, something he hopes to emulate at Tottenham.

Another huge challenge for the club remains the growth of the fanbase. Spurs had an average attendance of just 1,734 in the WSL last season - a figure that factored in higher-attended crowds at sporadic matches at the main stadium.

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Tottenham manager Roberto de Zerbi says he has told midfielder Lucas Bergvall to stay but cannot promise him a starting role.

The Sweden international, 20, has received multiple offers from Premier League rivals Newcastle and Nottingham Forest but surprisingly started Spurs' 4-2 penalty shootout win over Sydney FC at Allianz Stadium on Wednesday.

De Zerbi admitted he made mistakes in his handling of Bergvall during a chaotic end to the season following his appointment in March, when he narrowly guided Spurs to Premier League safety with a final-day victory over Everton.

BBC Sport understands Bergvall has told Tottenham he wants to leave.

"I'm always being very clear with him and with you. I would like that he stays with us," said De Zerbi.

"I think he's potentially a top, top, top player. But then I don't want to convince anyone to stay. Tottenham is already, without me, a top club and we are not to convince anyone to stay.

"He can find the space if he stays with us. The competition within the players will be very strong because we are Tottenham and we have to build a strong squad - not just 11 players - especially considering a lot of injuries we suffered in the last two, three seasons."

It is also understood Bergvall wants to play in a deeper midfield role, a position he occupied in the 1-1 draw with Sydney FC alongside Archie Gray, but the arrivals of club-record signings Matheus Fernandes for £85m from West Ham and Sandro Tonali for £100m from Newcastle have cast further doubt over his future.

De Zerbi continued: "He wants space. He wants to play as a double pivot as a position. I can't give, for any player in the world, the place in the first XI guaranteed.

"I want to be honest with the players. I want to be clear. I don't want to make the first mistake. In terms of position, I can't give guarantee. It's right when he wants to play as a central midfielder.

"But to play as a central midfielder, sometimes it is to attack, sometimes to keep the holder, to move the ball faster. He has to improve."

However, the Italian also admits that "to stay with us, we have to have the right spirit, but if he doesn't want, then what can I do? Nothing."