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Sandro Tonali has been linked with an AC Milan return ever since he left to join Newcastle United in 2023.

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Sandro Tonali has bizarrely left the door open for an AC Milan return just hours after sealing a Tottenham Hotspur move.

Newcastle United agreed a staggering £100million fee with Spurs on Wednesday night. Tonali jetted to London yesterday to undergo a medical ahead of an official announcement.

He will earn a reported £275,000 per week - a major improvement on his terms on Tyneside. Manchester City and Arsenal had been linked with Tonali’s signature but Tottenham - despite finishing 17th for two consecutive seasons - won the race.

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Sandro Tonali makes bizarre AC Milan claim

Italian media were desperate to unsettle Tonali from the moment he arrived in 2023. Newcastle stumped up £55million to sign the 26-year-old three years ago.

A gambling ban just 12 games into his Toon career fuelled conspiracies about whether AC Milan had prior knowledge to the impending suspension - which they denied. However, it did feed the narrative that Tonali never wanted to be a Newcastle player.

Tonali ultimately referenced “lifestyle and family” as he bid farewell to the Magpies. Speaking to Italian media, he also discussed a future return to Milan.

“There are always rumours about it… we always joke about it,” Tonali said. “But if one day there’s a chance (to return to AC Milan), we’ll seriously talk about that.”

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Sandro Tonali explains Newcastle United exit

On his “agreement” with Newcastle, Tonali added: “It was a bit long. We had a sort of agreement with Newcastle , we spoke every day and we made it. They wanted the best from me, we wanted the best deal for them. We parted on excellent terms , we're all happy and I'm ready for this new adventure.

“Why Tottenham? De Zerbi played a huge role in this, and it's also a lifestyle and family choice after three years at Newcastle. De Zerbi deserves much of the credit; he did it not only as a Brescia and native and a friend, but also as a hard worker; he's committed to this.”

Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali is closing in on a £100m move to Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur.

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Sandro Tonali’s imminent move from Newcastle United to Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur is ‘brilliant’ for Magpies manager Eddie Howe - according to former United captain Kevin Nolan.

Speculation over the Italy international’s future at St James Park has been ongoing in recent weeks and months after the likes of Arsenal, Manchester United and Manchester City were all linked with a big money move for his services. However, Spurs ramped up their interest in recent weeks after Tonali was believed to have revealed his desire to work under Roberto De Zerbi and seek a fresh challenge.

After rejecting an initial bid worth around £80m last month, Newcastle finally accepted an offer worth an initial £92.5m on Wednesday and that figure could rise to £100m if Tonali triggers a number of add-ons during his time in North London. The move comes as part of an overhaul of the Spurs midfield after they completed a deal for West Ham United star Mateus Fernandes on Thursday morning.

Former Magpies captain Nolan believes Spurs have ‘pulled off two major coups’ by landing Fernandes and Tonali - but stressed Newcastle can benefit from the funds they will receive as they look to strengthen their own squad during the summer transfer window.

He told Sky Sports News: “He (Tonali) was a big favourite at Newcastle and when he was suspended for that time, they did miss him. When he did come back, you saw he had a really big impact on the team, on Eddie Howe’s team. It’s brilliant for Eddie to get that money in to overhaul his squad.

“But what they (Spurs) are doing is they have backed De Zerbi massively. They’ve put the money where their mouth is. Fernandes is a fantastic player, I really like him. I watched a lot of West Ham last year at the back end. But even in the early season, when they were struggling, he was the one that you thought he is going to be a top, top player. They needed to shore up and have a central midfield. I’ve always known Tottenham throughout the years, Modric, Carrick, I’ve played against them, all top players and they went on to the next level at that time. It was needed and they’ve pulled off two major coups there.”

Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali has broken his silence on his imminent £100million move to Tottenham Hotspur.

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Sandro Tonali believes he is leaving Newcastle United on “excellent terms”.

Tonali is on his way to North London to finalise his £100million transfer to Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur after an agreement was reached on Wednesday evening.

Newcastle have nearly doubled their money on the Italian after paying £55million to sign him from AC Milan in 2023. The sale is the second most expensive in the club’s history after Alexander Isak’s £130million British record move to Liverpool last year.

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Sandro Tonali makes ‘excellent’ Newcastle United parting claim

The 26-year-old has only really spent two full seasons at Newcastle after being hit with a 10-month betting ban just a few months into the move.

Tonali resumed playing at the beginning of the 2024-25 campaign, helping the Magpies end their 56-year trophy drought by winning the Carabao Cup, as well as qualifying for the Champions League.

But after failing to qualify for Europe last season - instead finishing 12th in the Premier League - Tonali believed he had a verbal agreement to leave United.

His agent, Giuseppe Riso, has been drumming up interest in Tonali since January and despite namechecking the likes of Arsenal and Manchester City, the midfielder has joined Spurs, who have finished 17th in back-to-back Premier League seasons.

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Some Newcastle supporters feel betrayed by Tonali, especially after supporting him through his lengthy betting ban. Tonali, however, believes he is leaving on “excellent terms”.

Tonali told Gianluca Di Marzio: “It was a bit long. We had a sort of agreement with Newcastle , we spoke every day and we made it. They wanted the best from me, we wanted the best deal for them.

“We parted on excellent terms , we're all happy and I'm ready for this new adventure.

“Why Tottenham? De Zerbi played a huge role in this, and it's also a lifestyle and family choice after three years at Newcastle.

“De Zerbi deserves much of the credit; he did it not only as a Brescia and native and a friend, but also as a hard worker; he's committed to this.”

Newcastle United transfers: The Magpies are pushing to sign three players after agreeing to sell Sandro Tonali to Tottenham Hotspur.

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Newcastle United are set for a busy period in the summer transfer market after approving the sale of Sandro Tonali to Tottenham Hotspur.

The deal to sell the Italian midfielder is worth around £100million in total. It follows the £70million sale of Anthony Gordon to Barcelona last month.

Captain Bruno Guimaraes has also been heavily linked with a move away from the club. Although news of incomings hasn’t been forthcoming in recent weeks, things are finally starting to change in that regard.

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The Gazette understands that a significant sale early in the transfer window will allow Newcastle to strengthen in multiple positions this summer.

The club are understood to have agreed a deal to sign Hoffenheim winger Bazoumana Toure for around £43million as a left-wing replacement for Gordon. It comes after the club missed out on the signing of Victor Munoz from Osasuna, who joined Liverpool instead.

Newcastle also hold an interest in Spurs midfielder Archie Gray, but nothing has been agreed between the clubs.

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Newcastle have already signed one player so far this summer with 20-year-old goalkeeper Ewen Jaouen joining from Stade de Reims. The French shot-stopper has been signed as a second-choice goalkeeper for Newcastle, with Nick Pope’s future at the club uncertain.

As reported by The Gazette, Pope will be allowed to leave Newcastle this summer and has held talks with newly-promoted Ipswich Town over a potential move. Odysseas Vlachodimos has been loaned out to Sevilla for the 2026/27 campaign.

Manchester City and England goalkeeper James Trafford is a player of interest to Newcastle for a third successive summer, though doing a deal could prove difficult due to the finances involved.

The Magpies will also push to sign a right-back this summer following the departures of Kieran Trippier and Emil Krafth. Tino Livramento has also recently undergone surgery on a muscle injury but is expected to return during pre-season.

Tottenham Hotspur have agreed a £100million deal to sign Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali.

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Newcastle United have agreed the £100million sale of Sandro Tonali to Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur.

Spurs will pay £92.5million up front, with £7.5million in achievable add-ons. It is the second most expensive sale in the Magpies’ history after Alexander Isak’s £130million British record move to Liverpool last summer.

The Gazette has been told that the money from the Tonali sale will enable Newcastle to strengthen in multiple positions as head coach Eddie Howe prepares for a squad rebuild following last season’s disappointing 12th-place finish in the Premier League.

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Newcastle United agree £100m Sandro Tonali sale

Newcastle paid £55million to sign Tonali from AC Milan in the summer of 2023 but he didn’t make an impact until the following 2024-25 season after he was forced to serve a 10-month ban for breaching betting offences.

The 26-year-old returned to help the club end its 56-year trophy drought by winning the Carabao Cup, as well as qualify for the Champions League. Last season, however, Tonali, like several of his teammates, struggled for consistency.

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We reported earlier this year that Tonali believed he would be allowed to leave if Newcastle missed out on European qualification. After finishing 12th, 11 points below the Premier League top five, that has now transpired.

Tonali has been open to the prospect of living in London and working under fellow Italian Roberto De Zerbi, who hails from Brescia, the club where Tonali began his career.

Spurs have finished 17th in the Premier League in back-to-back seasons but have offered Tonali a significant salary increase.

Newcastle United turn attention to incomings

Newcastle’s attention now turns to incomings. Having also sold Anthony Gordon to Barcelona for £69million, the club has now raised around £169m in player sales. We’re told that will enable them to strengthen in multiple positions.

The Magpies are yet to make a major signing this summer after seeing their move for Spanish winger Victor Munoz hijacked by Liverpool.

French goalkeeper Ewen Jaouen is their only arrival so far after joining from Stade de Reims for £18million. But since he has never played outside of France’s second division, the 20-year-old is expected to be the second-choice goalkeeper next season.

Newcastle United transfers: Fabrizio Romano has linked a new name to Newcastle United amid Tottenham Hotspur’s Sandro Tonali pursuit.

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Fabrizio Romano has claimed Newcastle United have had a transfer offer rejected by Tottenham Hotspur amid Sandro Tonali transfer talks.

Spurs are pushing to sign Tonali from Newcastle this summer and have already had a bid of around £80million rejected. In the meantime, the North London club have agreed an £85million club-record deal to sign Mateus Fernandes from West Ham United but are expected to return with an improved offer for Tonali.

Newcastle value Tonali at around £100million, meaning Spurs would have to smash their transfer record again to land the Italian.

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But amid those transfer talks, Romano has claimed Newcastle have made a move for Spurs midfielder Archie Gray.

The transfer influencer posted on Instagram: “EXCLUSIVE: Newcastle send bid for Archie Gray while Sandro Tonali separate deal talks continue.

“Newcastle have sent official bid to Tottenham for Archie Gray, rejected by Spurs in separate deal from Sandro Tonali. Spurs made their position clear on Archie Gray following the approach — no agreement between the clubs at this stage.

“Newcastle remain interested in Gray, while Spurs' stance is unchanged for now. Sandro Tonali talks also continuing. Tottenham are pushing to get Tonali deal done as their top priority after Mateus Fernandes who’s having medical now.

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Gray, 20, was born in Durham and progressed through Leeds United’s academy, going on to make 52 appearances for the club in his breakout season. His impressive displays in the Championship caught the eye of Spurs, who agreed a deal worth around £40million.

Gray has since gone on to make 81 appearances for Spurs over the last two seasons and has shown versatility to play both in defence and midfield.

Newcastle United are looking at midfielders with Sandro Tonali’s future uncertain.

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Newcastle United are considering a move for Switzerland midfielder Johan Manzambi.

The 20-year-old, who plays his club football for Bundesliga side Freiberg, has starred at the World Cup so far, scoring three goals in three games.

Manzambi started on the bench for Switzerland against Qatar and Bosnia & Herzegovina but scored a 15-minute brace against the latter to start their final group match against Canada.

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And Manzambi was on the scoresheet again as his goals helped his country top Group B and set up a last 32 tie with Algeria.

Manzambi’s standout performances at the World Cup come off the back of an excellent season with Freiberg, where he scored seven goals and provided nine assists as his team reached the Europa League final, as well as finishing seventh in the Bundesliga.

Newcastle United consider move for Johan Manzambi

The midfielder started in Servette’s youth academy before making the switch to Germany in 2023. According to Sky Sports News, Freiberg value Manzambi at around £42million.

The player shares the same agency as a host of current Newcastle stars, including Lewis Hall, Tino Livramento, Harvey Barnes and Jacob Murphy, as well as head coach Eddie Howe.

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The agency was called Wasserman until it recently rebranded to THE·TEAM.

Newcastle United midfield uncertainty

Newcastle are looking at central midfielders this summer, with both Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes linked with exits.

The Magpies are open to selling Tonali with Tottenham Hotspur currently leading the chase. However, the message is that Guimaraes, whose representatives have held talks with Arsenal, is not for sale.

A former Liverpool defender has had his say on the future of Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali.

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Newcastle United star Sandro Tonali is not short of interest this summer after the Magpies rejected a reported £80m from Tottenham Hotspur for the Italian midfielder.

Speculation over Tonali’s future at St James Park has continued to dominate the headlines in recent weeks after Spurs emerged as surprise candidates to secure his signature during the summer transfer window. That comes just under six months after North London rivals Arsenal reportedly showed tentative interest in Tonali during the final hours of the January transfer window and reports in Italy have suggested the Emirates Stadium is the former AC Milan man’s preferred move.

Juventus have been long-term admirers of Tonali but are not believed to be serious contenders in the race for his signature and Manchester City are also said to be interested in the 26-year-old despite focusing their attention on a big money move for former Magpies midfielder Elliot Anderson. However, former Liverpool stalwart Jamie Carragher has insisted Tonali would be a suitable signing for his old club as they embark on life under new head coach Andoni Iraola.

He told Sky Sports: "Tonali is a midfielder I really rate. I think he's got great pace and power in that midfield. It wasn't his best season last season but it's difficult when you're not playing for a team who are playing well. He's certainly a player I looked at thinking for Liverpool. I think it (moving to Tottenham) would be a good move all-round really. I like what Spurs are doing and I like what De Zerbi is doing. Spurs, for a long time had a reputation, didn't they, of going to the last minute of transfer deadline trying to do the best deal they possibly could under Daniel Levy.

"Since Levy has left it hasn't gone particularly well, so I think they are under a bit of pressure as well. De Zerbi has come in and done a really good job and I think he has got a lot of power at that club right now, probably the most he will have unless he wins a big trophy. He's put his foot down, he wants players in quickly for them to start pre-season."

Premier League transfers: It has been a busy transfer window for Tottenham Hotspur so far as they look to sign Sandro Tonali from Newcastle United.

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Tottenham Hotspur have been pushing to sign Sandro Tonali this past week, with the Newcastle United midfielder emerging as one of the club's priority transfer targets.

Newcastle rejected an £80million bid from Spurs for the Italy international, while Manchester City and Arsenal are also understood to be monitoring the situation. Suggestions of a cash-plus-player deal have also emerged.

Amid the noise surrounding Tonali, Tottenham midfielder Lucas Bergvall has reportedly asked to leave the club. The 20-year-old was limited to just 11 Premier League starts last season and is said to be looking for a fresh start elsewhere.

Aston Villa, Chelsea and Nottingham Forest have all been linked, while Newcastle hold a long-standing interest in the Sweden international that pre-dates his move to Spurs.

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Would Newcastle United and Spurs entertain a swap deal?

While Newcastle are unlikely to revisit their interest in Bergvall this summer, the club's admiration for the midfielder is well established.

Several reports linking Tonali with a move to Spurs have suggested the London club could attempt to sweeten any offer by including players as part of the package. Goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario and forward Richarlison have both been mentioned, but Bergvall would undoubtedly be the most intriguing option from Newcastle's perspective.

Back in 2024, reports in Sweden claimed Newcastle had submitted an ultimately unsuccessful bid for Bergvall before the teenager completed an £8.5million move to Spurs.

On the surface, there is an argument that Bergvall's inclusion would at least give Newcastle something to think about. At 20, he already possesses Premier League and Champions League experience, while his age profile aligns with the club's long-term recruitment strategy.

Even in a cash-plus-player deal, however, losing a player of Tonali's calibre would require more than a talented 20-year-old prospect. There is also a financial complication that could make such a proposal particularly unattractive.

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UEFA financial rules

Newcastle remain under UEFA scrutiny following concerns over a potential breach of Financial Sustainability Regulations. Although the club ultimately failed to qualify for Europe, UEFA's assessment period still applies and the club's spending will be monitored closely.

Newcastle must also continue to operate within UEFA's squad-cost ratio rules, which limit spending on transfers, wages and agent fees as a percentage of revenue.

That matters because UEFA takes a different view of player-exchange deals than the Premier League.

Where Premier League rules allow clubs to recognise profits from player sales in the usual way, UEFA treats transfers involving players moving in opposite directions between the same clubs during the same transfer window as linked transactions. In practice, that significantly reduces the accounting benefits clubs can generate from structuring deals in that manner, whether the transfers are formally linked or not.

As a result, Newcastle may gain little financial advantage from combining a Bergvall move with a Tonali sale.

In fact, if Newcastle were ever to sanction Tonali's departure, UEFA's accounting rules could make a straightforward cash offer from another club significantly more attractive than a player-exchange arrangement involving Spurs.

That does not diminish Bergvall's quality or Newcastle's past interest in the player.

But if Tonali’s future does become one of the defining stories of the summer transfer window, the conclusion is likely to be straightforward. Newcastle want clarity over complication, and a single large cash offer over any deal built around player exchanges.

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Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer has questioned why Sandro Tonali would want to join Tottenham Hotspur.

Spurs are expected to table a second bid for Tonali after their opening offer of £80million was turned down by Newcastle last week.

Tonali is open to the move, with the prospect of living in London and working under Roberto De Zerbi proving appealing. The Spurs boss was born in Brescia, where Tonali began his career before joining AC Milan and later Newcastle.

Alan Shearer questions Sandro Tonali over Spurs move

But from a footballing point of view, it is a potential move Shearer is struggling to get his head around following back-to-back 17th-placed finishes for Spurs.

The North London club finished fourth bottom in the 2024-25 campaign but masked their struggles by winning the Europa League, while last season they also just avoided relegation on the final day after beating Everton 1-0.

Shearer told Betfair: "Tottenham just avoided relegation. I get the attraction of London but going to Spurs who have finished so low over the last two years would be a surprise career move for Tonali in my eyes. But I'm not surprised if it's true that he's made an indication that he wants to leave Newcastle.

"Again, if he doesn't want to be there, you put the price you want and if someone wants to pay it, and it looks as if it'll have to be three figures, then you say thank you very much, get the £100million plus and you move on.

"I know Spurs have a new manager and that may be a pull for him, London obviously. But in terms of the football club, look where they have finished the last two years."

Newcastle want £100million for Tonali, almost double what they paid to sign him from AC Milan in the summer of 2023. Arsenal and Manchester City are also interested.

The 26-year-old is under contract at St James’ Park until 2029, having signed an extension as a show of loyalty during his 10-month betting ban.