Sandro Tonali wants to 'honour his word' and sign for Tottenham Hotspur this summer, according to reports in Italy.
Spurs have been heavily linked with a move for the Italian midfielder this summer, with the Lilywhites seeing an initial bid of £75million rejected by Newcastle United. The Lilywhites are even understood to have made a bizarre second bid for the Magpies midfielder, which was no higher than their initial bid. It was obviously rejected once more.
GIVEMESPORT understands that Tottenham plan on going back to Newcastle with another bid, with the Magpies looking for a total package of £100million to sanction a deal.
Tonali gets huge pay increase at Tottenham
According to Sky Sports Italy, Tonali has already "said yes" to Spurs with personal terms agreed for the 26-year-old to make the move to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this summer. Italian journalist Alfredo Pedulla claims that Tonali will increase his Newcastle salary, which was for £8million-a-year to between £12million and £13million in N17.
The north Londoners need to come to an agreement with Newcastle over the fee and how it will be paid. GIVEMESPORT understands Spurs are willing to stretch to £85million with potential add-ons on top of that, which could convince Newcastle to sell.
Tottenham face plenty of competition for Tonali's services, with Manchester City understood to be very interested in the player. City have been working on a deal to sign Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest for £116million, with add-ons taking that figure past the £125million British transfer record Liverpool paid Newcastle for Alexander Isak last summer.
But City are keen to sign Tonali as well. Manchester United and Arsenal have also been named as interested parties, but Tonali has reportedly given his word to countryman Roberto De Zerbi that he will sign for Spurs this summer.
Speaking on his Caffe di Marzio podcast, Italian football journalist Gianluca di Marzio said that Tonali is "determined to honour his word to Roberto De Zerbi" that he will sign for Tottenham.
Spurs in talks for a number of big-name signings
Tottenham's owners are keen to back De Zerbi in the transfer market this summer, with four new signings already through the door. Three have arrived on free transfers - Martin Dubravka, Andy Robertson and Marcos Senesi - with Jan Paul van Hecke signed in a £52million deal.