A Tottenham transfer nightmare could become reality as the search for a new midfielder goes on. Spurs are hoping to land a holding or hybrid midfielder this summer to replace and upgrade on Yves Bissouma, who leaves the club at the end of his contract at the end of this month.
Roberto De Zerbi is being given the chance to overhaul his squad this summer, with Tottenham desperate to avoid a third straight bottom-half finish. Spurs have already made a strong start to the summer, snapping up four signings, including the £52million signing of Brighton centre-back Jan Paul van Hecke.
A midfielder signing looks likely to be next, and Tottenham have a couple of main targets, but there is concerning news about one of them.
Sandro Tonali prefers Arsenal move
In a potentially huge blow to Tottenham's bid to land Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tronali, it is being reported the Italian would prefer to join Arsenal this summer.
The Telegraph's Luke Edwards has posted on X: "I’m pretty relaxed about the Bruno situation at Newcastle following today’s links to Arsenal. He wants a new contract at #nufc and has done for a while. I’m viewing it through that lens at the moment. I also don’t think Tonali really wants to go to Spurs. I’m told he would prefer Manchester City or Arsenal. As ever let’s wait and see. Any chance Newcastle could sign some new players instead of being linked with current ones leaving!!"
Tottenham have already seen a £75million bid rejected by Newcastle for Tonali, and they are yet to make another offer at this stage. It will be interesting to see if this report is accurate, and indeed whether it leads Spurs elsewhere.
Having said that, the issue for Tonali is that Arsenal and City are less likely to make a move for him this summer, given both teams seem to have other priorities.
Spurs could pivot to Fernandes
Tottenham have also been linked with a move for West Ham midfielder Mateus Fernandes of late, with Manchester United also keen on the Portugal international. With Newcastle said to want £80million to £90million for Tonali this summer, Spurs may well lean towards Fernandes, especially with the news the former prefers a move to Arsenal.
Fernandes will likely be available for £80million following West Ham's rejection, and that could be defining when it comes to choosing between the two. Fernandes is also likely to be willing to join any club with European hopes, while Tonali is likely to want a club competing in the Champions League, which Spurs cannot offer.