Tottenham Hotspur have jumped to the front of the line for Sandro Tonali. According to David Ornstein of The Athletic, the north London club has opened direct talks with Newcastle over a deal for the 26-year-old midfielder. That’s a real move. Not just interest. Actual club-to-club conversations.
This is interesting because Manchester City is also in the mix. But Spurs are the ones who picked up the phone first. Ornstein reports that the discussions with Tonali’s representatives are ongoing with both clubs, but Tottenham is pushing hard. They’re betting on a high salary offer, the pull of London, and the connection with head coach Roberto De Zerbi to close this thing.
Where Man United fits in all this
United was linked to Tonali for months. There were rumors they’d meet Newcastle’s asking price, which is reportedly at least £100 million. But lately? Silence. A report from earlier this week claimed United told Newcastle they weren’t getting in the race. Ornstein’s update backs that up pretty clearly. United has already wrapped up a deal for Atalanta’s Ederson and is eyeing other targets like Elliot Anderson and Adam Wharton. Tonali doesn’t seem to be the priority anymore.
So it looks like United is going a different direction in midfield. Maybe multiple directions. They want at least two more top-level guys in there before the window closes, especially with Champions League ball coming up. Tonali just isn’t part of that plan right now.
Newcastle’s position is simple
Newcastle is resigned to losing Tonali. That happened the moment they failed to get back into the Champions League. His agent even pitched him to Arsenal back in January, but Newcastle blocked it because they didn’t have time to replace him. Now they have time. And they have a price. £100 million. No discounts. No negotiations. Pay it or move on.
Tonali made 53 appearances across all competitions last season. Scored three goals. Newcastle finished 12th in the Premier League. Not exactly the kind of season that makes a player want to stick around.
The real battle now
The fight for Tonali looks like it’s down to Tottenham and Manchester City. City’s interest is separate from their pursuit of Anderson, according to Ornstein. So it’s not like they’re just kicking tires. They’re serious. But Spurs are making the first aggressive move here, and that counts for something in a negotiation.
There’s also the De Zerbi factor. The Italian manager coached Tonali at Brescia before either of them became household names. That relationship could be the difference. Plus London is a hell of a sales pitch for a 26-year-old with money in the bank.
Whether United regrets stepping back remains to be seen. Right now they’re watching from the sideline while two other clubs fight it out for one of the more complete midfielders in Europe.
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