Sandro Tonali has shed light on the reasons behind his decision to reject Manchester City and opt for Tottenham Hotspur instead. The Italian midfielder revealed that Roberto De Zerbi’s guidance and a major change in his family life were key factors as he prepares to finalise a club-record £100 million transfer from Newcastle United.

De Zerbi’s influence proves decisive

Tonali has agreed to leave Newcastle in a deal that could rise to £100 million, with De Zerbi’s convincing approach ultimately steering him towards Spurs. Speaking to Sky Sports about the move, Tonali explained why he believes Tottenham’s project is the perfect fit for the next stage of his career. “Roberto De Zerbi was a huge factor,” Tonali said. “I’ve followed his work for a long time, and his vision of football really connects with me. When I spoke with him, I knew instantly this was where I wanted to be.”

Family priorities influence major life decision

Apart from footballing reasons, Tonali shared that his family situation played a crucial role in the move after spending three years in the north-east of England. “It was a life decision with my family because we’ve been in Newcastle for the last three years, and last year our life changed when our child was born,” he said. “So we decided to change things a bit, and De Zerbi made a big difference. He did his job superbly, not only as someone from Brescia and a friend, but also by showing just how much effort and dedication he puts into his work.”

Newcastle set for significant profit

According to ESPN, Tottenham have agreed to pay an initial £92.5 million with an additional £7.5 million in achievable bonuses, bringing the total to around £100 million. Newcastle had initially signed Tonali from AC Milan in 2023 for £55 million, meaning the Magpies are poised to earn a profit of roughly £45 million on the 26-year-old midfielder.

Tonali is expected to earn more than £275,000 per week at Tottenham and will travel to London for his medical and to complete the final details of the transfer. He added, “Newcastle wanted what was best for me, and we wanted to ensure they got the right deal too. When things work that way, it’s a win for everyone. We’re all happy, and I’m ready for this new challenge.”

A busy summer for Spurs

Following the agreement for Tonali and the earlier arrivals of Martin Dubravka, Marcos Senesi, Andy Robertson, Jan Paul van Hecke, and Mateus Fernandes, Tottenham continue to be active in the transfer market. The North London club are now pursuing Bournemouth’s Eli Junior Kroupi, who can operate both as a striker and a left winger. However, he is not their only target — AC Milan’s Rafael Leao and Manchester City’s Savinho are also being monitored, while Spurs are considering signing another centre-forward to provide competition for Richarlison and Dominic Solanke.