Tottenham Hotspur have agreed a club-record deal to sign Sandro Tonali from Newcastle United, with the transfer confirmed by transfer reporters Fabrizio Romano and David Ornstein on July 1, 2026. The fee of £92.5 million, with a further £7.5 million in potential add-ons tied to Champions League qualification, takes the total to a potential £100 million — comfortably above the £85 million Spurs paid West Ham for Mateus Fernandes just a day earlier, and obliterating their previous club record of £65 million, set when Dominic Solanke arrived from Bournemouth in 2024.
The deal also makes Tonali the most expensive Italian player in football history, surpassing the €68 million (£59 million) Al Qadsiah paid Atalanta for Mateo Retegui in the summer of 2025.
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Why Tonali Chose Spurs
Personal terms had been agreed between Tonali and Tottenham well before the clubs finalised their fee, with the player making clear he wanted to work under head coach Roberto De Zerbi. The Italian connection proved decisive — Tonali reportedly turned down a lucrative offer from Manchester City to push through the move to north London, a position he held firm on even as City’s interest threatened to complicate the deal.
Italian journalist Alfredo Pedullà confirmed the player’s stance earlier this week, noting that Tonali had received offers from several major clubs but was set on joining Spurs and playing under a fellow Italian manager.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Player | Sandro Tonali |
| From | Newcastle United |
| To | Tottenham Hotspur |
| Fixed Fee | £92.5 million |
| Potential Add-ons | £7.5 million (Champions League-related) |
| Total Potential Fee | £100 million |
| Previous Spurs Record | £65 million (Dominic Solanke, 2024) |
| Italian Transfer Record | Yes — most expensive in history |
| Reported Weekly Wage | ~£275,000 (close to £300,000 with bonuses) |
| Contract Length | Six years |
The Player: Who Is Sandro Tonali?
Born in Lodi on May 8, 2000, Sandro Tonali is a central midfielder with an outstanding range of attributes — passing quality, defensive intensity, and the ability to control a game’s tempo from deep. He is 26 years old and widely regarded as one of the best midfielders in Europe.
He began his senior career at Brescia, where he won promotion from Serie B in 2018-19, before joining AC Milan initially on loan in 2020. He played 130 games for the Rossoneri and was part of the squad that ended an 11-year wait for the Serie A title in the 2021-22 season, also featuring in all 12 group and knockout phase games as Milan reached the UEFA Champions League semi-finals.
Newcastle signed him in the summer of 2023 for a fee that could rise to £60 million with add-ons, and he quickly became one of the most important players at St. James’ Park. His first season was disrupted by a betting-related suspension, but after returning in August 2024 he produced his best form yet — featuring 53 times in 2025-26, contributing three goals and seven assists, and helping Newcastle win the EFL Cup in March 2025, the club’s first major domestic trophy in 70 years.
Tonali’s Career at a Glance
| Club | Period | Notable Achievements |
|---|---|---|
| Brescia | 2017–2020 | Professional debut; Serie B promotion 2018-19 |
| AC Milan | 2020–2023 | 130 appearances; Serie A title 2021-22; UCL semi-final |
| Newcastle United | 2023–2026 | EFL Cup winner 2024-25; 53 apps, 3 goals, 7 assists in 2025-26 |
| Tottenham Hotspur | 2026– | Club-record signing; six-year contract |
The Broader Context at Spurs
Tottenham narrowly survived relegation from the Premier League last season and have responded by backing De Zerbi with serious investment in the summer window. Alongside the Tonali deal, the club has signed Jan Paul van Hecke, Andy Robertson, Marcos Senesi, Martin Dubravka, and Mateus Fernandes, with the Tonali agreement representing the centrepiece of an extraordinary summer rebuild.
Newcastle, for their part, will pocket the majority of the £92.5 million fixed fee, though a 10 percent sell-on clause owed to AC Milan from their original sale means the Rossoneri will receive in excess of £9 million from the transaction. The Magpies had rebuffed an initial Spurs bid believed to be in the region of £75-80 million before the two clubs reached agreement at the higher figure.
Read More: Tomas Soucek Confirms He Is Staying at West Ham Following Relegation Heartbreak
FAQs
How much are Tottenham paying for Sandro Tonali?
The agreed fixed fee is £92.5 million, with a further £7.5 million in potential add-ons linked to Champions League qualification. The total potential outlay is £100 million, a new club record for Spurs.
Is this a world record transfer fee?
No, but it is a record for an Italian player. The deal makes Tonali the most expensive Italian footballer in history, surpassing the €68 million Al Qadsiah paid for Mateo Retegui in 2025.
Why did Tonali choose Tottenham over Manchester City?
Multiple sources confirm Tonali was determined to play under head coach Roberto De Zerbi, his fellow Italian. He turned down Manchester City’s approach to make the move to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
What is Sandro Tonali’s contract length and salary at Spurs?
Tonali has signed a six-year deal. His weekly wage is reported to be around £275,000, rising to close to £300,000 when bonuses are factored in.
How did Tonali perform at Newcastle before leaving?
In 2025-26, he made 53 appearances for Newcastle, contributing three goals and seven assists. He also helped the club win the EFL Cup in March 2025 — their first major domestic honour in 70 years.
