Tottenham have agreed a fee with Newcastle United for Sandro Tonali.
Tottenham Hotspur have completed the signing of midfielder Mateus Fernandes from West Ham United, paying a club-record fee to beat Manchester United to his signature. Our club has splashed £85 million to convince the Hammers to part ways with Fernandes.
The one-cap Portuguese international will not be the only midfielder moving to White Hart Lane this summer. The North Londoners have already sealed an agreement to sign Sandro Tonali from Newcastle United in a deal which will once again break the team’s transfer record. We have agreed to pay Newcastle United a fee which could reach £100m if all the add-ons are triggered.
Tottenham had several bids rejected as the Magpies remained firm on their £100m valuation, but eventually agreed to fulfil their demands.
Sandro Tonali opens up on his impending move to Spurs
Earlier today, it emerged that the 26-year-old boarded a plane in Italy to return to the UK to complete his medical at Hotspur Way. Sandro Tonali has spoken about the move, and he is clearly delighted to be joining Tottenham. The central midfielder insists that it was the right time to change clubs and embark upon a new challenge, which he is ready for.
“It took a little while to get done. We had a kind of agreement with Newcastle, and we were talking every day until we finally got it over the line. They wanted the best outcome for me, and we wanted the best deal for them. We parted on great terms, everyone’s happy, and I’m ready for this new adventure,” Tonali said exclusively in an interview with Sky Italia.
“Why Tottenham? [Roberto] De Zerbi played a huge part in my decision. It’s also a life and family choice after three years in Newcastle. De Zerbi deserves a lot of the credit—not just because we’re both from Brescia and friends, but because he’s an incredible professional who worked really hard to make this happen.”
De Zerbi factor!
The Lewis Family and the club’s new leadership have shown great ambition in the transfer market and signed quality players thus far. De Zerbi has been the driving force behind the deals the club has cracked as he looks to rebuild a squad capable of competing for the Champions League spots next season.
First, Fernandes credited the 46-year-old tactician’s role behind his decision to join the Lilywhites, and now Tonali has spoken about his compatriot’s part in making a move to Spurs materialise. This shows how influential a figure De Zerbi is, both on and off the pitch, and why hiring him in March was the best decision our club made in recent years.