Sandro Tonali is on his way over to the UK to complete his record-breaking transfer to Tottenham Hotspur and stopped to answer a few questions from reporters on his way into the airport in Milan: ‘Up until now, there hasn’t been an opportunity to return to Italy’.
Tonali is set to become the most expensive Italian footballer of all time and is also set to crush Tottenham’s club transfer record for the second time in a week once his €116m (£99.5m) transfer from Newcastle United is complete.
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Reports indicate that Tonali is set to earn a €12m-per-season salary over a six-year contract in North London, where he will be coached by another Italian in Roberto De Zerbi.
Tonali was spotted arriving at the Linate airport in Milan on Thursday morning, on his way back over to the UK to formally complete his transfer to Tottenham: “We’ve decided to change, we’re ready for this new adventure,” the Italy international told reporters near the entrance.
Tonali was also asked what he makes of his former Milan colleague Paolo Maldini being offered the role of technical director with the Italy national side, to which he replied: “We haven’t spoken about it, but it’s always a great feeling to work with him.”
There were also questions about a potential return to Serie A for Tonali at some stage further down the line, but this hasn’t been a realistic possibility in recent seasons: “Up until now it’s always been very difficult, we’ve spoken about it but up until now, there hasn’t been an opportunity for it.”
And what if Milan were to come knocking?
“We talk about it every time, but one day if there is an opportunity, we will talk about it seriously.”
Tonali had also stopped to speak with Sky Sport Italia prior to getting on his flight, discussing the deal in further depth: “It was a bit long, we had a sort of agreement with Newcastle, we talked about it every day and then got it done. They wanted the best for me, we wanted to get the best deal for them. We parted on great terms, we’re all happy and I’m ready for this new adventure.”
And when asked why he chose Tottenham of all the possibilities that were available to his, he explained: “De Zerbi played a big role in it, it’s also a family and lifestyle choice after three years in Newcastle.
“De Zerbi takes a lot of the credit. He did it, not only as a Brescian, but also as a friend and a really hard worker. He’s committed to this.”
Watch: Tonali on his way back over to England to complete Spurs move