Tottenham are reportedly in advanced talks to sign Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali, although if the prospective deal for the Italian proves too expensive, the Lilywhites may be forced to pivot to alternative targets.
Tonali enjoyed an outstanding 2025/26 campaign for the Magpies, scoring three goals and providing six assists in 53 appearances across all competitions. This form has sparked interest from a host of clubs, including Spurs and Arsenal.
Despite this interest from the Premier League champions, Tottenham seemingly lead the way for the 26-year-old and have reportedly offered him a mouth-watering £275,000-a-week contract.
That said, this doesn't mean Tonali's move to North London is a done deal. According to various reports, Newcastle could hold out for around £100million, which would surely prompt Spurs to at least consider other options.
Thus, GIVEMESPORT have identified five alternative targets Tottenham could look at if they are ultimately unable to secure the services of Tonali.
Angelo Stiller
Age: 25
Club: Stuttgart
Tottenham's most pressing midfield issue last season was arguably the lack of ball progression. The likes of Conor Gallagher, Joao Palhinha and Rodrigo Bentancur have desirable attributes, but getting the ball up the pitch through passing isn't part of their repertoire.
Tonali also doesn't excel in this aspect of the game, but Stuttgart's Angelo Stiller does. Stiller is renowned for his exceptional range of passing, and this is reflected in his impressive ball progression statistics.
The 25-year-old has been on the market for a couple of windows now and is yet to be snapped up by a big club, despite enjoying two outstanding seasons in the Bundesliga. He reportedly has a £35 million release clause in his contract, and Spurs should leap at this opportunity if the move for Tonali falls flat.
Adam Wharton
Age: 22
Club: Crystal Palace
If Spurs are on the hunt for a pure midfield passer, then they should look no further than Adam Wharton. While Crystal Palace aren't likely to sanction a deal for a fee that doesn't closely resemble the asking price for Tonali, investing in a younger player with higher upside might make more sense regardless.
Spurs have already been linked with Wharton, and while the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United are also said to be in the race, Roberto De Zerbi may be able to offer the Englishman more certainty and more of a defined role at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Wharton would fit the former Brighton manager's style like a glove. De Zerbi's build-up patterns are all about drawing the press in before playing round it with smart and incisive passes. Wharton's best attribute is his forward passing in between the lines.
Mateus Fernandes
Age: 21
Club: West Ham United
Like Wharton, Mateus Fernandes would represent a smart long-term acquisition for Tottenham. The North London side aren't likely to win a major honour in the next two or three years, and thus, signing a younger player who can develop with De Zerbi's project makes more sense than going big on a player in his prime in Tonali.
Spurs have reportedly been given the 'green light' to sign Fernandes, and there are suggestions that he could be added alongside the Newcastle man. Whether or not this is plausible financially remains to be seen, but Fernandes alone would suffice.
The West Ham midfielder thrived in a disjointed Hammers side last season, displaying his defensive tenacity, invention in possession and physical prowess. In a more settled system under De Zerbi, he could easily reach another level.
Manu Kone
Age: 25
Club: Roma
Currently impressing for France at the World Cup, Manu Kone is looking for a new club this summer. He's been linked with Arsenal, although he may ultimately make more sense for Spurs.
While reports indicate that Kone has given the Gunners priority over Tottenham, De Zerbi should have the ability to seduce the Frenchman. The likes of Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi would block Kone's minutes at the Emirates, while at Tottenham, his robust style could see him become the main man in the middle of the park in N17.
Given that he'd be arriving from overseas and with significantly less pedigree than the likes of Tonali, Wharton and Fernandes, Kone could cost considerably less, and thus preserve funds for other transfers.
Ayyoub Bouaddi
Age: 18
Club: Lille
If Tottenham really want to build for the long-term, then they should consider signing one of the hottest midfield prospects in Europe. Ayyoub Bouaddi is the subject of intense interest from the likes of Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain, but once again, Tottenham could sell a more enticing project to the youngster.
At the Emirates or the Parc des Princes, Bouaddi's minutes are likely to be somewhat limited, particularly in the short-term. This could stall his development, while at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, he would play regularly from the outset.
He boasts similar attributes to Tonali in his ability to cover ground and carry out defensive work, making him an excellent alternative.