Tottenham are said to have made a cheeky request to Newcastle United as they look to get the Sandro Tonali transfer over the line. Spurs are working on a number of deals as they look to follow up their bold start to the window, which has seen them snap up four players within just over a week of the summer transfer window officially opening.
The Spurs chiefs indirectly promised changes to investment levels after back-to-back bottom-half Premier League finishes, and they are now following up. Big money is to be spent to overhaul Roberto De Zerbi's squad this summer, and the next priority appears to be the midfield.
The latest on Spurs move to sign Tonali
Tottenham saw a £75million bid for Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali rejected recently, with the Magpies hoping for around £100million, according to the Daily Mail, who say Spurs sent a bizarre second offer for the player this week.
They say Tottenham sent another offer but did not increase the value of it, leading to a swift rejection from Newcastle United. It's unclear what Tottenham's thinking was, and indeed whether the terms of the deal were changed, which could be the case. It's possible Tottenham promised more money upfront in a bid to sweeten the offer, while they may also have been trying their luck with the knowledge Tonali is said to prefer a move this summer, with Sky Sports reporting he has already "said yes" to Spurs.
But it seems Newcastle are focused on landing a bigger fee, and that will force Spurs to consider whether they meet those demands or take their money elsewhere to buy an alternative midfielder this summer.
Tottenham's midfield needs in the transfer window
Spurs are in need of a midfielder or two this summer as they say goodbye to Yves Bissouma, who will leave at the end of his current deal. The North London club are also on course to lose loan player Joao Palhinha unless they move to activate the option to buy that would make the deal permanent.
It has gone quiet on that front over recent weeks, but Spurs likely have until the end of the month to make their decision. The latest reports claim Spurs wanted a cheaper deal, but Bayern are unlikely to accommodate that request, given they paid. The option to buy is already £21million less than the €51million Bayern paid for the Portugal international.
Spurs have Rodrigo Bentancur as their only real out-and-out holding midfielder on the books for next season, but Achie Gray, Conor Gallagher and Pape Matar Sarr are all capable of playing a deeper role, so there is some depth there.