Tottenham have had an offer of around £80m for Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali rejected, with Roberto De Zerbi making the Italy international a leading target for his summer rebuild.
Sky Sports reports that Spurs’ bid landed earlier this week and was knocked back immediately by Newcastle, who have Tonali under contract until 2029 with an option for another year. The 26-year-old joined from AC Milan for £55m three years ago and is viewed by De Zerbi as the sort of controller Tottenham need in midfield, according to Sky Sports’ Keith Downie and Michael Bridge.
Tottenham’s midfield rebuild hits a Newcastle wall
The rejection does not end the matter, but it does set a clear bar for Spurs. Newcastle are not under pressure to accept a standard market offer for one of their most valuable players, especially after already selling Anthony Gordon to Barcelona this summer.
For Tottenham, the timing is significant. De Zerbi has already added Andy Robertson and Marcos Senesi on free transfers, while a £52m deal for Jan Paul van Hecke has been agreed. Tonali would be a different kind of statement: expensive, central to the system and directly tied to the manager’s plan to make Spurs more technical in possession.
Manchester City are also credited with interest, which increases the urgency if Tottenham intend to return with a stronger proposal. The first answer from Newcastle, though, is emphatic: £80m is not enough.
