Tottenham Hotspur has made a splash in the English Premier League (EPL) transfer market, securing Italian midfielder Sandro Tonali for a club-record fee of 100 million GBP (about 133.8 billion USD).
The North London club announced the signing on their official website on Monday, stating that they’re delighted to confirm the acquisition of Tonali, pending work permit approval.
Tonali expressed his enthusiasm for the move, saying that he’s thrilled to join Tottenham. The moment he arrived at the club, it felt incredible. He added that despite rumors of interest from multiple teams, Tottenham was always his clear choice.
The midfielder revealed that after a two-hour conversation with manager Roberto De Zerbi, he knew Tottenham was the right fit. It was almost magical.
Tonali’s journey to the EPL began with Brescia in 2017, followed by a stint at AC Milan before his move to Newcastle in 2023.
In 2023, Tonali faced adversity with a 10-month suspension for illegal betting while playing in Italy. However, he bounced back to become a pivotal player for Newcastle, helping the club secure the EFL Cup in the 2024-25 season and ending their 70-year trophy drought.
Following two consecutive 17th-place finishes in the EPL, Tottenham has embarked on an ambitious squad overhaul this summer. They’ve already secured midfielder Mateus Fernandes from relegated West Ham and now added Tonali from Newcastle.
The club has also bolstered its defense with the signings of Jan Paul van Hecke (ex-Brighton), Andy Robertson (ex-Liverpool), Marcos Senesi (ex-Bournemouth), and goalkeeper Martin Dubravka (ex-Burnley).
According to BBC reports, Tottenham’s 100 million GBP (about 133.8 billion USD) deal for Tonali, including add-ons, sets a new club transfer record.
The BBC revealed that Tottenham’s initial 80 million GBP (about 107 million USD) bid was rebuffed by Newcastle. Subsequent negotiations led to an agreement of 92.5 million GBP (about 123.8 million USD) upfront, with potential add-ons worth 7.5 million GBP (about 10 million USD).
This transfer represents a significant profit for Newcastle, who signed Tonali from AC Milan in 2023 for 55 million GBP (about 73.6 million USD). In just three years, they’ve nearly doubled their investment on the Italian international.