Tottenham Hotspur have been dealt a significant blow in their pursuit of Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali as Manchester City have now joined the race to sign the Italian, according to Chronicle Live.
Tonali enjoyed an impressive 2025/26 season, despite the Magpies' struggles, scoring three goals and registering six assists in 53 appearances across all competitions. This campaign has sparked interest in the 26-year-old from a host of top clubs, including Spurs, Manchester United, Arsenal and now Man City.
Tottenham are understood to be frontrunners in the chase for the Italy international, although a twist in the saga has seemingly now unfolded.
Newcastle are braced for a bidding war between interested parties, with City's emerging interest set to prompt an intense transfer battle.
Man City join race for Sandro Tonali
Tottenham have reportedly already agreed personal terms with Tonali, while other reports suggest that they've tabled a bid worth around £75 million for the midfield maestro, which was swiftly rejected by Newcastle.
These developments seem to indicate that Spurs are well out in front in the race for the former AC Milan man's signature, although Chronicle Live journalist Lee Ryder reports that Man City have entered the fray, as expected.
Sources close to Tonali's camp describe City as genuine candidates to lure the player away from Tyneside this summer. Enzo Maresca is understood to be a keen admirer of the energetic number eight, and the Citizens are now prepared to hijack Tottenham's move for him.
City would "easily match" Spurs' £275,000-per-week contract offer to Tonali, according to the report, as they look to bolster a midfield department which has lost Bernardo Silva and needs a long-term replacement for Rodri.
The north-west outfit may have just splashed £116million on Elliot Anderson, but they're eager to provide new manager Enzo Maresca with additional midfield firepower to ensure he has the tools to field a competitive team in the post-Pep Guardiola era.
City's Tonali interest a serious blow for Tottenham
Spurs have seemingly set their sights on Tonali and may have begun preparing for life with the Newcastle man. Roberto De Zerbi holds a close relationship with the player's agent, Giuseppe Riso, and this link may have been the catalyst for this deal developing to the stage it has.
However, City's interest presents a spanner in the works for the Lilywhites. The temptation of playing for a club expected to compete for major honours, rather than a side rebuilding after near relegation, could well be too much for Tonali to turn down.