Tottenham Hotspur have been dealt a major blow in their pursuit of Sandro Tonali, with reports suggesting the Newcastle United midfielder is now seriously considering a move to Manchester City.
Earlier this week, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano revealed that Spurs were pushing ahead with plans to sign the Italian, who was said to be keen on reuniting with compatriot Roberto De Zerbi. The Tottenham manager is understood to be driving the interest, with full backing from the club’s owners, ENIC.
However, the picture shifted dramatically on Wednesday evening when The Athletic reported that Manchester City had entered the race and were now providing “serious competition” for the 26-year-old.
Talksport’s Ben Jacobs later confirmed that both Spurs and City are in negotiations, with Newcastle bracing themselves for formal bids.
Jacobs also noted that Arsenal had made an enquiry back in January and continue to monitor midfield options, while a return to Serie A remains unlikely in the near future due to financial constraints.
Newcastle are reportedly holding out for a fee in the region of £100 million, including add-ons.
According to TEAMtalk, Tonali has been genuinely impressed by the project on offer at the Etihad Stadium, particularly with Enzo Maresca set to take over following Pep Guardiola’s departure. Crucially, discussions with City went beyond football—
Tonali’s representatives were said to be struck by the broader package presented, including the long-term vision for the player, his proposed role within the squad, and the support network available for his family.
These factors have kept City firmly in the race, even though Tonali has previously expressed a desire to return to Serie A later in his career.
For Tottenham, this development is deeply concerning. The north London side finished 17th in the Premier League last season and are in the midst of a rebuild under De Zerbi.
City, by contrast, already boast a title-winning squad and can offer Champions League football, significantly higher wages, and greater financial firepower in any potential bidding war. All of which leaves Spurs facing an uphill battle to land their primary midfield target.
