Football Italia

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

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Sandro Tonali is on the verge of a move to Tottenham Hotspur worth over €100m from Newcastle United, claim multiple sources in Italy and England.

The midfielder was targeted specifically by new coach Roberto De Zerbi, and the presence of the Italian tactician was a significant draw for the ex-Brescia and Milan man.

Massive bids had already been rejected in the region of €92m (£80m), but Spurs are continuing to press their Premier League rivals.

Tottenham tip the Tonali scale

Sky Sport Italia, Fabrizio Romano, TEAMtalk and more are all confident the latest proposal worth just over €100m will be accepted, despite suggestions the asking price was closer to £100m (around €116m).

It would represent a new all-time club record transfer for Tottenham, who just managed to avoid relegation last season and need to revamp their squad.

He had been sold to the Magpies by Milan for €60.8m plus bonuses in the summer of 2023.

As part of the agreement, Milan would be owed 10 per cent of the future sale fee from Newcastle United, so could pocket over €10m out of this deal.

Italy international Sandro Tonali could become a club record transfer after reports Tottenham Hotspur offered €99.7m to Newcastle United, already agreeing personal terms.

The midfielder had dropped hints he felt his time with the Magpies was coming to a close, ready for the next step in his career.

Although Arsenal and Manchester United had also shown interest, Spurs quickly emerged as the hot favourites, partly due to the presence of Italian coach Roberto De Zerbi.

Tonali closer to record Tottenham transfer

A proposal worth £80m was rejected by Newcastle United, but Mirror Sport claim that a new bid is on its way worth £86m (circa €99.73m).

That is very close to the reported €100m valuation placed on the Italian by his club, so a deal could be imminent.

If those figures are confirmed, it would make Tonali a new all-time club record signing for Spurs.

Turning 26 last month, Milan sold him to Newcastle United in the summer of 2023 for €60.8m plus up to a further €4m in bonuses.

On top of that, the Rossoneri also retained a 10 per cent cut of the future sale fee, so they could be getting almost €10m out of this move to White Hart Lane.

Multiple sources confirm Tonali has already agreed personal terms with Tottenham worth £275,000 per week, negotiated by his agency, GR Sports.

Fiorentina director Fabio Paratici continues to work with old club Tottenham Hotspur to bring in Italy international Destiny Udogie, while Atletico Madrid’s Matteo Ruggeri is an alternative.

Paratici had two different spells at Spurs, plus working as an outside advisor during his ban, before coming back to Serie A for Fiorentina in February.

He is now using some of those contacts to seek reinforcements for the team at the Stadio Artemio Franchi, and has set his sights firmly on Udogie.

Udogie or Ruggeri for Fiorentina

The 23-year-old Italy international has struggled with injury and a lack of regular playing time at Tottenham since his transfer from Udinese in 2022.

That move was worth €18m plus up to a further €7m in add-ons, signing a contract to June 2030.

According to Tuttomercatoweb, this is going to be a very difficult deal to get over the line, because Spurs are asking for €40-50m for the left-back.

Coach Roberto De Zerbi is also determined not to let Udogie leave this summer, even though the player made only 28 appearances this term, contributing one assist.

Paratici is hoping that he can get Tottenham to agree a paid loan with option to buy tied to achieving certain targets during the season.

A cheaper alternative is another Italy international who moved abroad, Matteo Ruggeri, with Atletico Madrid reportedly wanting €25m for his sale.

They only bought Ruggeri from Atalanta last year for €17m plus add-ons.

Italy international Sandro Tonali has agreed personal terms with Tottenham Hotspur, claim reports, but Newcastle United continue to fight off interest from Manchester United and Arsenal.

It has been rumoured for several months that the Italian feels his time at Newcastle is coming to an end, and he is ready for the next step in his career.

That should be in the Premier League still, with a bidding war breaking out between Spurs, Manchester United and Arsenal.

Tonali happy to join Tottenham

Meanwhile, Sky Sports UK and Sky Sport Italia both claim that Tonali has agreed personal terms with Tottenham, so a contract worth more than £275,000 per week is waiting for him to sign.

That all means nothing unless Newcastle United agree a sale, and they are digging their heels in, seemingly demanding around €100m.

It was already reported that the Magpies turned down a bid worth almost £80m from Tottenham, circa €92m.

Milan had sold Tonali to Newcastle United for €60m in 2023, but retained a 10 per cent cut of any future sale fee, so it could be a big payday for them too if the move goes through.

While Arsenal are a more ambitious option, Tottenham would see him working with Italian coach Roberto De Zerbi.

Inter used their buy-back clause for Aleksandar Stankovic and it’s reported he rejected both Tottenham Hotspur and Brentford, determined to make his name at San Siro.

The Nerazzurri might’ve lost out on Marco Palestra to the Premier League with Chelsea offering over €10m more in transfer fee and double the wages, but some of their players are still eager to remain in Serie A.

Stankovic snubs Premier League

According to Sky Sport Italia, Stankovic received proposals from both Roberto De Zerbi’s Tottenham Hotspur and Brentford, but had no intention of even listening to their plans.

The son of club legend Dejan Stankovic and a product of their youth academy, the Serbia international midfielder was a sensation at Club Brugge this season, winning the title with nine goals and five assists in 55 competitive games.

Inter activated their buy-back clause worth €23m, having sold him for €9.5m last summer, but he will not necessarily remain in Cristian Chivu’s squad this term.

There is no shortage of interest from abroad, but so far the 20-year-old is determined to hang on and get his chance with the Serie A and Coppa Italia holders.

Italy international and Newcastle United star Sandro Tonali is at the centre of a bidding war worth €100m between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur, claim reports.

There had been suggestions last week that the Magpies rejected an opening offer from Spurs for Tonali that was worth £75m (circa €87m) or even as much as €92m, but Sky Sports UK say they are ready to come in with a new and improved proposal.

The problem for them is that Arsenal are also interested in the Azzurri talent and Mail Sport claim that the Premier League winners would be his preferred choice as well.

Newcastle United are reportedly not prepared to budge until the offers reach €100m (£86m).

Tonali the most valuable Italy player

He only recently turned 26 last month and has been at Newcastle United since his massive €60m transfer from Milan in 2023.

As part of that agreement, the Rossoneri are also owed a 10 per cent cut of the future sale fee, meaning they could get a significant boost to their coffers if this bidding war goes above €100m.

A product of the Brescia youth academy, Tonali’s value has sky-rocketed over the years, as Milan paid €19.3m to get him in 2020.

He was a regular for Newcastle United this season, scoring three goals and providing seven assists in 53 competitive games, but now feels the time is right for the next step up in his career.

While Roberto De Zerbi would provide an Italian connection at Tottenham, Arsenal are far more ambitious and fresh from a campaign where they won the Premier League and reached the Champions League Final.

Juventus are reportedly hoping that Paris Saint-Germain will drop their Randal Kolo Muani asking price below €35m after his Tottenham Hotspur loan experience.

According to Sportitalia transfer pundit Alfredo Pedullà, the two clubs have progressed in negotiations that started four days ago and they are feeling more positive that an agreement can be reached.

Kolo Muani would prefer Juventus

The asking price remains €35m, but it is reported the Bianconeri hope to lower it slightly by making this a loan with obligation to buy rather than an option.

Their funds are stretched after failing to qualify for the Champions League, but this seemingly has not dampened Kolo Muani’s enthusiasm for a return to Turin.

The striker already had a spell at Juve from January to July 2025 with the loan costing €3.6m plus his salary, but the clubs were unable to agree on an extension or permanent move.

He went on loan to Tottenham Hotspur instead, but again the deal was not made into a permanent one after five goals and four assists in 41 competitive games.

Kolo Muani cost Paris Saint-Germain a massive €95m to buy from Eintracht Frankfurt in 2023, but his contract now only runs to June 2028, so time is running out to get even some of that back.

Reports in Italy and the UK claim that Newcastle United have turned down an offer in the region of €92m (£80m) for Italy international Sandro Tonali from Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur, who are not the only club interested in picking up the former Milan midfielder this summer.

Newcastle reject initial Tonali bid from Tottenham

According to reports from various sources, Tottenham have had an initial offer for Tonali turned down by Newcastle. Sky Sports claims that Tottenham’s initial offer was around the €92m mark (£80m). Fabrizio Romano claims that the offer was made three days ago and that the bid was worth €86m (£75m).

Tonali remains under contract with Newcastle until the summer of 2029, with a club option to extend for a further 12 months until the summer of 2030.

According to reports from David Ornstein and The Athletic, Newcastle will seek a fee in the region of €115m (£110m) to part ways with Tonali this summer. Reports in Italy, such as from Gianluca Di Marzio, claim that a deal will be struck for a considerably lower fee in the region of €98m (£85m).

Tottenham hope that the offer of playing under Italian head coach Roberto De Zerbi and the idea of living in an attractive location such as London will be appealing factors for Tonali and his family.

Manchester City and Arsenal are also said to be interested in a potential deal for the Italian this summer.