Tottenham Hotspur have suffered a blow with the news that one of their top transfer targets is ready to reject them to join Arsenal instead.
Tottenham are showing no signs of slowing down or minimising their ambition as they go all out in the summer transfer window, with three deals already completed.
Spurs have already announced the signings of Andy Robertson and Marcos Senesi on free transfers, with the duo bringing a wealth of Premier League experience with them to boost a backline that has struggled in recent seasons.
The pair will be joined at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium by Jan Paul van Hecke after a deal worth £52m was agreed with Brighton and Hove Albion, who have made two bid to sign Spurs sensation Luka Vuskovic.
Now, after bolstering the defence and also tying Pedro Porro down to a new long-term contract, it appears as though attention is turning to make changes to De Zerbi's midfield.
The Italian has a plethora of options to choose from in the centre of the park with Rodrigo Bentancur, Conor Gallagher, Pape Matar Sarr, Lucas Bergvall and Archie Gray available to him, but there have been talks over potential moves for three central midfielders in recent weeks - Joao Palhinha, Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali.
Sandro Tonali Makes Decision on Next Club
While Tottenham have been in talks over a deal to sign Joao Palhinha from Bayern Munich on a permanent deal following his loan spell in north London, Spurs have also made attempts to bring Tonali and Fernandes to the club as well.
According to David Ornstein, De Zerbi wants to land both Tonali and Fernandes as he looks to significantly strengthen his squad for next season, but whether that is achievable is another question.
SportsBoom have delivered some bad news for the Italian though, as they claim that despite the 47-year-old holding positive talks with Tonali about working together at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, the £55m Newcastle signing's preference would be to join Arsenal if both clubs had offers accepted by Newcastle.
Tottenham's Chances Remain Alive
While Tonali has made his stance clear on his preferred next move, it means nothing if Arsenal don't firm up their interest in the player.
Reports emanated at the end of the January transfer window from the player's side that the Gunners had been in contact over a move for Tonali, but nothing materialised at the time.
Given they are now the Premier League champions and the player has huge respect for Mikel Arteta, it isn't too surprising that he would prefer a move to the Emirates. After all, the Gunners will compete in the Champions League next term and Spurs have no European football on offer.
Another big hurdle for Tottenham in their bid to sign Tonali is Newcastle's price tag, with SportsBroom claiming that they are demanding up to £120m to sell their star midfielder this summer.
Spurs would need to obliterate their transfer record to land the Italy international, and now it is up to ENIC how far they are willing to go to land a player De Zerbi really wants.