City are not alone: Spurs enter the Tonali fight

Tottenham Hotspur have stepped up their pursuit of Sandro Tonali by opening talks with Newcastle United over a potential blockbuster move for the Italian midfielder.

Spurs have admired Tonali for some time, but direct club-to-club contact signals a significant escalation in their efforts to bring the 26-year-old to north London. It also serves as a clear statement of intent from Roberto De Zerbi, who has identified the Newcastle star as one of his priority targets.

The race for Tonali's signature is far from straightforward.

Life after Rodri and Bernardo: City step up interest in Tonali

Manchester City remain firmly in contention and continue to monitor the situation closely, while discussions between the player's representatives and both clubs are ongoing as they attempt to find common ground on personal terms.

Newcastle, meanwhile, are under no pressure to sell.

Tonali remains under contract until 2029, with the club also holding an option to extend his deal by a further year. As a result, any interested side will need to make a substantial offer, with the Magpies expected to demand around £100 million before seriously considering a sale. Despite that valuation, Tottenham believe they have several factors working in their favour.

De Zerbi is understood to be personally pushing for the transfer, while the prospect of living in London and a lucrative long-term contract could also help convince Tonali to make the switch.

The midfielder has established himself as one of Newcastle's most important players since returning from the gambling ban that interrupted the early stages of his Premier League career.

After arriving from AC Milan in a deal worth around £60.5 million in the summer of 2023, Tonali's progress was halted when he received a 10-month suspension for breaching Italian football's betting regulations. The punishment ruled him out for the remainder of the season and forced him to miss Euro 2024 with Italy.

Arsenal stepped on the gas and overtook Man United and Real Madrid in the race for Tonali

Rather than derail his career, however, the setback appears to have strengthened it. Since returning to action, Tonali has become a cornerstone of Newcastle's midfield, forming an impressive partnership with club captain Bruno Guimaraes and re-establishing himself as one of Europe's most complete central midfielders.

Last season, he made 53 appearances in all competitions, scoring three goals as Newcastle reached the Champions League knockout stages. His performances have not gone unnoticed.

Arsenal explored the possibility of signing him earlier this year after being approached by the player's representatives, while Manchester City continue to view him as one of the standout midfield options available on the market. Now Tottenham have made the first concrete move.

Whether that proves enough to fend off City and convince Newcastle to sell remains to be seen, but one thing is becoming increasingly clear: Sandro Tonali is emerging as one of the biggest transfer stories of this transfer window.