Tottenham Hotspur has completed the signing of Italy international midfielder Sandro Tonali from Newcastle United in a club-record deal worth up to £100 million.
The north London club agreed to pay an initial £92.5 million, with an additional £7.5 million in achievable add-ons for the 26-year-old.
Tonali is expected to earn more than £275,000 per week.
The transfer marks the second time within a week that Tottenham shattered its transfer record, following the £85 million acquisition of Mateus Fernandes from West Ham United.
Tonali's Decision and Farewell
Spurs secured the midfielder despite interest from rival clubs, including Manchester City, largely due to Tonali's desire to play under fellow Italian and Tottenham head coach Roberto De Zerbi.
"I'm very happy to be here. When I arrived at the club, it felt fantastic.
People said about there being four or five clubs - there was only one," Tonali said.
The midfielder explained that an extensive conversation with the manager solidified his decision to move to London for lifestyle and family reasons.
"I spoke to the head coach for close to two hours about the club, the fans, the stadium and our football.
It was like magic because I knew immediately that I had to sign for Tottenham," Tonali added.
After completing his move, Tonali published a farewell message on Instagram dedicated to his former club, staff, teammates, and manager Eddie Howe.
"Three years ago I came to Newcastle not really knowing what to expect.
Today it's time to say goodbye and it's hard to find the right words," Tonali wrote.
He expressed particular gratitude toward the behind-the-scenes staff at the training ground and the management team that aided his development.
Tonali then addressed the Newcastle supporters directly, reflecting on their unwavering presence at St James' Park during difficult times, which included a 10-month ban for breaching betting rules.
"When things were hard for me, you were there. Not for one day did I feel alone," Tonali said.
He highlighted the historic significance of winning the 2025 Carabao Cup, which ended Newcastle's 70-year wait for a domestic trophy.
"Together, we achieved something this city had been waiting decades for. At Wembley that day, it was special," Tonali added.
The midfielder concluded his farewell by acknowledging how his personal life became intertwined with the city, where his son was born.
"The game brought me to Newcastle. Today I leave with my wife and our son, born during my time here.
This city gave me more than football," Tonali said.
Manager and Club Reaction
Tottenham head coach Roberto De Zerbi expressed great enthusiasm for the signing, noting that he had tracked the midfielder since his early career in Italy.
"Sandro is a special player and a great signing for our club.
I have followed him for a long time, as he came through the youth system at my hometown club, Brescia," De Zerbi said.
The club's hierarchy echoed this sentiment, emphasizing Tonali's capability to manage the pressures of top-tier domestic and European competitions.
"Sandro is one of the best midfielders in Europe and we are delighted to welcome him to the Club," said Sporting Director Johan Lange.
Lange added that the technical staff expects the player's competitive drive to resonate strongly with the Tottenham fanbase.
"He has outstanding technical quality to go with real football intelligence, and has the character to thrive in a demanding, high-pressure environment," Lange said.
The acquisition pushes Tottenham's summer spending past the £200 million threshold, following investments in Jan Paul van Hecke, Andy Robertson, Marcos Senesi, and Martin Dubravka.
This aggressive recruitment strategy follows a difficult Premier League campaign where the club finished 17th, narrowly escaping relegation on the final day of the season.
