Tottenham Hotspur could explore a player-plus-cash route for Sandro Tonali after Newcastle United rejected a major bid for the Italy midfielder.
Sky Sports reported that Newcastle knocked back an offer of around £80m from Spurs, with the bid rejected immediately as Eddie Howe’s side continue to take a firm stance over one of their key midfielders. Tonali is under contract at St James’ Park until 2029, with an option for a further year, leaving Newcastle in a strong negotiating position.
The latest twist is the suggestion that Tottenham may be prepared to include players in a potential swap structure, with Sky Sports reporting Newcastle’s rejection of Spurs’ £80m offer as the key backdrop to the next phase of the pursuit.
Why Tonali Still Matters To Tottenham
Roberto De Zerbi’s interest makes sense. Tottenham are trying to reshape a midfield that needs more authority, cleaner first-phase possession and a stronger defensive base before the 2026/27 Premier League season.
Tonali would give Spurs a high-level ball-winner and distributor, but the problem is obvious: Newcastle do not need to sell cheaply. That means any renewed Tottenham move must either raise the cash figure or offer players Newcastle would genuinely value.
For supporters, the important point is that this has moved beyond vague admiration. A rejected bid means Tottenham have already tested Newcastle’s position. The next question is whether Spurs can build a package persuasive enough to keep Tonali on De Zerbi’s summer rebuild list.
