Alan Shearer questions Sandro Tonali ‘standards’ as Newcastle United agree £100m transfer

Alan Shearer has given his thoughts on Newcastle United selling Sandro Tonali to Tottenham Hotspur.

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Alan Shearer is content with Sandro Tonali leaving after he failed to reach the same heights for Newcastle United last season.

However, the Toon icon will only be fully happy if the Magpies reinvest well. Newcastle agreed a £100million sale to Tottenham Hotspur earlier this week.

Tonali spent three years on Tyneside, albeit his first season was effectively written off as he faced a 10-month ban for breaching betting regulations. The midfielder helped United win the Carabao Cup and secure Champions League qualification in his comeback campaign.

In truth, he never replicated that form in 2025-26 as Newcastle struggled to a 12th-placed finish. Speculation surrounded Tonali’s future all season and he is now on the brink of joining Spurs for a club-record fee.

‘I’m ok’ - Alan Shearer

Speaking to Betfair, Shearer claimed £100million provides good business for Newcastle. He said: “I'm ok with Tonali leaving. As I previously said on this saga, if Newcastle set their fee at three figures and stick to it then that is fine and that's what they've got.

“I don't think he had a great season last season. We didn't see the Tonali we saw the season before, because he was incredible the season before. I thought by his own high standards, he didn't hit those heights last season at Newcastle.

“So, to get that much money for him, I think it's good. It's a good deal for Newcastle. They now have to spend that money wisely. By all accounts, they're going for young, hungry players in terms of £30-or-40-million-pound deals. So, if that's the case, then I'm ok with it.”

Alan Shearer blasts financial rules

Shearer also hit out at the financial measures, with Newcastle selling a second top star - after Anthony Gordon - to bankroll incomings. He added: “This is my argument in terms of the rules in football now on clubs spending. You've got a team who finished 17th twice in a row, yet they can go and blow everyone out of the water in terms of money-wise, where Newcastle can't.

“Newcastle have had to sell their best young players, had to sell their best players to comply with the rules. So, it never, ever sits easy with me. But that's Tottenham, that's fine, they can do that. I guess De Zerbi got that in his contract, if we stay up, this is what we have to do, otherwise I'm not coming.

“He's in a real power situation. The power is always with De Zerbi in terms of what he wants and what he can do. So, yeah, I'm fine with Spurs spending the money. It's just frustrating that Newcastle, with the wealth, can't spend like that.”