Former Tottenham full-back Kyle Walker has urged his old club to push hard for Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali, as speculation over the Italian’s future continues to mount.
Spurs boss Roberto De Zerbi is reportedly eager to reunite with his compatriot, and Tonali has emerged as a key target ahead of the summer window. The 24-year-old joined Newcastle from AC Milan in 2023 and has since become a mainstay in Eddie Howe’s midfield, but questions over his long-term future at St.
James’ Park have persisted—especially after his agent was said to have offered him to Arsenal late in the January window.
Manchester City and Manchester United have also been linked, though sources suggest Tonali would prefer a return to AC Milan if he were to leave Newcastle.
Spurs riding a wave of optimism
Tottenham’s interest comes after a dramatic final-day escape from relegation, with renewed belief that De Zerbi—appointed in March—can orchestrate a significant turnaround next season.
Walker believes Tonali is precisely the calibre of signing needed to elevate Spurs’ midfield. When asked where Tottenham should focus their summer spending, he told talkSPORT that a player like Tonali could bring far greater control to the centre of the park than they’ve shown in recent seasons.
Tonali remains a firm favourite among Newcastle supporters, and there is growing unease that he could follow Anthony Gordon out of the club. Since arriving on Tyneside, he has made 110 appearances, registering ten goals and ten assists.
According to talkSPORT’s Alex Crook, Newcastle are holding out for at least £90 million—a fee that would shatter Tottenham’s current transfer record, set by the £65 million package for Dominic Solanke in 2024.
Summer rebuild already underway
Spurs have been active in the market, already securing Brighton’s Jan Paul van Hecke, Liverpool’s Andy Robertson, and Bournemouth’s Marcos Senesi to bolster the backline.
Walker feels the squad already boasts considerable quality and is optimistic the new arrivals can help drive the team forward.
He acknowledged that integrating several new faces at once is never straightforward, but pointed to Tottenham’s strong finish to last season as a positive sign.
He praised the standard of player coming in and said he’s hopeful for a promising campaign ahead.
He also suggested that Spurs’ problem last season wasn’t a lack of talent, but rather a failure to perform consistently. He highlighted the attacking quality of James Maddison and Xavi Simons, while stressing the importance of keeping Dominic Solanke fit.
Walker noted that squad depth is a strength, though he admitted uncertainty surrounding Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven could influence how the season unfolds.
