Tottenham sign Tonali for club-record £100m fee

Tottenham Hotspur have underlined their ambitions for the 2026-27 Premier League season by completing the club-record signing of Italian midfielder Sandro Tonali from Newcastle United in a deal reportedly worth up to £100 million, taking the club’s summer spending beyond the £200 million mark.

The move represents one of the biggest transfers of the window and signals a dramatic turnaround for Spurs, who narrowly escaped relegation last season.

Roberto De Zerbi’s side survived by just two points after a tense 1-0 victory over Everton on the final day of the 2025-26 campaign, avoiding what would have been the club’s first relegation from the Premier League.

Determined to ensure last season's struggles are not repeated, Tottenham have embarked on an ambitious recruitment drive.

Alongside Tonali, the North London club have signed Portuguese midfielder Mateus Fernandes from West Ham United, Dutch defender Jan Paul van Hecke from Brighton & Hove Albion for around £50 million, while experienced defenders Marcos Senesi and Andy Robertson, together with goalkeeper Martin Dubravka, have joined on free transfers.

Tonali, who has reportedly signed a six-year contract, admitted Tottenham were always his preferred destination despite interest from several clubs across Europe.

“I'm very happy to be here”, the Italy international said after completing his move.

“People talked about four or five clubs wanting to sign me, but for me there was only one. I had a long conversation with Roberto De Zerbi about the club, the fans, the stadium and his football philosophy. After that discussion, I knew Tottenham was the right place for me”.

De Zerbi, who has admired Tonali since the midfielder emerged through the youth ranks at Brescia, described his compatriot as one of Europe’s elite midfielders.

“Sandro is a special player with outstanding technical quality, intelligence and leadership. He was our priority target, and we are delighted he chose Tottenham despite significant interest from elsewhere”, De Zerbi said.

Born on May 8, 2000, in Lodi, Italy, Tonali began his football career at hometown club Piacenza before joining the academy of Brescia, where he made his professional debut in 2017 at just 17 years old.

His outstanding performances helped Brescia win promotion to Serie A during the 2018-19 season, quickly establishing him as one of Italy’s brightest young midfielders.

In 2020, AC Milan secured his services on an initial loan before making the transfer permanent in 2021 for a total package worth approximately €35 million (£30 million).

During three successful seasons at the San Siro, Tonali became one of Milan’s key players, helping the Rossoneri lift the 2021-22 Serie A title, ending the club's 11-year wait for the Italian championship.

His impressive displays earned him a move to Newcastle United in 2023 for around £55 million (€64 million), making him one of the most expensive Italian footballers in history.

Despite serving a lengthy suspension during his time in England, Tonali returned to become a vital figure in Eddie Howe’s midfield.

Across three seasons at St James' Park, he made 110 appearances, scoring 10 goals and providing nine assists.

One of the highlights of his Newcastle career came in the 2024-25 season, when he helped the Magpies defeat Liverpool 2-1 in the EFL Cup final, ending the club’s 70-year wait for a major domestic trophy.

Last season, Tonali featured in 35 Premier League matches, starting 31 of them.

Although he failed to score and contributed just two assists, he remained one of Newcastle’s most influential midfielders, creating 32 chances, second only to Bruno Guimaraes, while completing 1,319 successful passes.

Sandro Tonali has enjoyed success throughout his career, winning the 2018-19 Serie B title with Brescia, the 2021-22 Serie A championship with AC Milan, and the 2024-25 EFL Cup with Newcastle United.

Tottenham’s record signing, worth up to £100 million, tops the club’s most expensive transfers. He is followed by Dominic Solanke (£65m, Bournemouth), Tanguy Ndombele (£63m, Lyon), Richarlison (£60m, Everton), Cristian Romero (£55m, Atalanta), Jan Paul van Hecke (£50m, Brighton), Brennan Johnson (£47.5m, Nottingham Forest), Pedro Porro (£45m, Sporting CP), James Maddison (£40m, Leicester City) and Mateus Fernandes (£35m, West Ham United).

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