Tottenham may have failed with a bid to sign Sandro Tonali from Newcastle this week, but they will not be deterred from signing the 26-year-old midfielder.
Spurs are keen to make a statement signing for Roberto De Zerbi this summer, looking to back their new head coach with investment into the ailing squad that he inherited from Thomas Frank and Igor Tudor.
Three defensive signings have already been made, with Andy Robertson and Marcos Senesi arriving on free transfers, with £52million splashed on Jan Paul van Hecke from Brighton too.
Tottenham have opening bid rejected by Newcastle
Attention has now moved into more advanced areas, with Spurs making that £75million bid to sign Tonali this week.
It was immediately rejected by Newcastle, with the Magpies looking for a total package of £100million for the Italian, which could come in the form of an £85million offer with £15million to come in add-ons. GIVEMESPORT understands that Spurs are willing to go as high as £85million to complete a deal, with the potential of more in add-ons.
And GIVEMESPORT senior football correspondent Ben Jacobs has revealed that a second bid is being prepared by Tottenham as they look to beat off competition from the likes of Manchester United, Manchester City and Arsenal to sign Tonali this summer.
Jacobs said: "A fresh bid is expected. Manchester City remain active as well. Spurs want to make a statement signing with Roberto De Zerbi stressing the importance of adding in central midfield."
Speaking on his YouTube channel, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano also made it clear that Tottenham fans should not be concerned about the first bid being rejected and that there was more to it than just a bid.
He said: "Tottenham entered the race strong to sign Sandro Tonali and Sandro Tonali is open to joining Tottenham. Tottenham are real contenders to sign Sandro Tonali, Tottenham are strong contenders for Sandro Tonali and Tottenham are very serious.
Tottenham have a plan when it comes to signing Tonali
"It's a bid, it was sent three days ago. Tottenham sent an official bid, £75million, rejected by Newcastle, they want more. The first bid is never getting accepted, it's normal and common knowledge in football that when you want to negotiate for a top player with a big transfer fee that the first bid never gets accepted.
"It's part of the plan, because for Tottenham it was the message sent to the player and to Newcastle as well, but especially the player, to show that they are serious.
"It's not the bid we need to talk about now, Tottenham remain in conversations with those close to Tonali and Tottenham remain in conversations to make a new bid. Tottenham are there and working for Tonali, they are working very hard and very strong to get Sandro Tonali."