Tottenham Hotspur confirmed on Monday the acquisition of Italian midfielder Sandro Tonali from fellow Premier League club Newcastle United in a deal reportedly worth up to a club-record £100 million ($133.4 million).
The 26-year-old midfielder has committed to a three-year contract with the north London outfit. According to the BBC, the initial transfer fee stands at £92.5 million, with an additional £7.5 million expected in performance-related add-ons.
Expressing his enthusiasm, Tonali stated on Tottenham’s official website, “I’m very happy to be here.” He added that a nearly two-hour conversation with head coach Roberto De Zerbi convinced him to join the club. “It was like magic because I knew immediately that I had to sign for Tottenham,” Tonali remarked.
De Zerbi praised his new signing, describing Tonali as a “special player and a great signing for our club,” underlining the midfielder’s importance to Tottenham’s future plans.
From Newcastle to Tottenham: A Significant Transfer
Tonali’s move to Tottenham comes after three seasons at Newcastle, who secured his signature from AC Milan in July 2023 for £55 million. During his time at St. James’s Park, he made 110 appearances and contributed to a historic achievement by helping Newcastle win the League Cup— the club’s first major trophy in 70 years.
Despite his on-field success, Tonali’s stint at Newcastle was marred by a 10-month worldwide ban related to gambling on football matches. In October 2023, the Italian Football Federation sanctioned him for placing bets on football events organized by the federation, UEFA, and FIFA during his career in Italy, violating strict regulations against such conduct.