Arsenal were initially looking to hijack Sandro Tonali.
Tottenham Hotspur have been aggressively linked with a move for Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali as Roberto De Zerbi looks to rebuild the squad at his disposal.
De Zerbi moving aggressively in market
The Lilywhites have been operating on the front foot this window, which shows in the four signings that Spurs have made already. The former Brighton head coach has focused on bringing in players that can compound the backline with Andy Robertson, Jan Paul van Hecke, Marco Senesi and Martin Dubravka.
And now the club is moving to bring in marquee players in the second phase. By the looks of it, they are shuffling between two names in Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali. Spurs are battling Manchester United for the former Southampton midfielder following the Hammers’ relegation from the English top tier. But West Ham are asking for £85m for his signing, and Man Utd apparently lead the race for his signing.
Tottenham are focusing on pursuing a move for Tonali anyways while being in conversation with Fernandes. But the Tonali move is not as easy either, given the Italian international has been linked with Arsenal and Manchester City, two of the top percentile clubs in English football. So suddenly a move for him becomes quite difficult, given his preference would be to move to them if either were to move for him.
Why did Arsenal walk away from pursuing Tonali transfer?
But the Gunners have reportedly walked away from the transfer, leaving it as a two-horse race between Tottenham and Manchester City.
Mikel Arteta & Co. did not want to come on terms with Tonali’s £275,000-a-week wage demands and a 10% agent commission. (h/t ChronicleLive via X)
Arsenal walking away is a big boost for Tottenham given how the Lilywhites supporters had to deal with Eze trauma last summer, when the then Crystal Palace man worked himself an Arsenal transfer in the eleventh hour of a probable Spurs move. But with Man City still in the race, Tottenham will have to compound their efforts to land Tonali.
Given how Spurs have already agreed on personal terms and £12m-a-year wage contract, with Tonali, it is time for them to compound their efforts and find a way to attain common ground with Newcastle United before City start being serious in their pursuit of the 26-year-old.
Do you think Tottenham can realistically sign Sandro Tonali this summer? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.