Sandro Tonali speaks on his £100m pending move to Tottenham, with the club set to break their transfer record for a second time this week.
On Wednesday (1st July), Sky Sports‘ Keith Downie and Michael Bridge broke the news that Spurs had agreed a deal with Newcastle.
Spurs are set to pay £92.5m plus £7.5m in achievable add-ons, having already agreed an £85m deal with West Ham for midfielder Mateus Fernandes this week.
Sandro Tonali has arrived at Milan airport to fly to London and complete his move to Tottenham Hotspur 🚨
Credit: Sky in Italy 🇮🇹 pic.twitter.com/9AYAFpD5BF
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) July 2, 2026
Sandro Tonali spoke exclusively with Luca Bendoni and Marco Bovicelli for Sky in Italy about his pending move to Spurs 🎙️🇮🇹 pic.twitter.com/LWRVuBR3Vv
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) July 2, 2026
Tonali said: “Absolutely, the feelings are positive, it was a bit long, but let’s just say it was difficult.
“We had a sort of agreement with Newcastle, and we parted on very good terms, we talked about it every day.
“They wanted the best for me and we wanted to do the best [deal] for Newcastle, so I think once you leave like this, it’s different.
“So we’re all happy and I’m ready for this new adventure.
“Let’s say De Zerbi played a huge role in this decision, and it was also a lifestyle and family choice.
“We’d been in Newcastle for three years, and last year our lives changed, our son was born, so we decided to completely change our lives.
“De Zerbi made a huge difference, he did his job, he did it vert well and he was very talented.”
Sky Sports News’ Keith Downie said: “Newcastle have agreed a fee with Hoffenheim for winger Bazoumana Toure.
“They are in advanced talks with the German club for the Ivory Coast international, but a deal yet to be finalised.
“All going well, Toure is set to be the first of multiple new signings through the door at Newcastle, following the £170m double sale of Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali.”
Paul Merson also gave his thoughts on Tottenham’s summer business:
“Tonali is a very good signing, he is one of my favourite players in the Premier League, he is a proper, proper midfielder.
“Whenever I’ve watched Tottenham, I always think they are a bit over-run in midfield, they do not ever dominate games.
“They’ve got good centre halves and forwards when they are all fit, but they never dominate the midfield and the manager [Roberto De Zerbi] has come in and highlighted that and he has brought in two very good midfield players.
“I expect them to have a good season next year and I wonder if that Aston Villa performance against Tottenham at the end of last season will come back and bite them when they got well beat and could have probably relegated them – that could come back to bite them when we are looking at fourth or fifth in the league next year for Champions League positions.
“But he [De Zerbi] has bought very well at the moment.”
Luke Edwards (@LukeEdwardsTele) tweeted his reaction: “Having had a bit of time to reflect on the sale of Sandro Tonali you have to say he didn’t really justify the love and affection he received.
“Banned for 10 months shortly after joining for breaking gambling rules and the fans and club stood by him.
“Brilliant in his second season and a huge part of the team’s success last year. Looked an elite midfielder.
“Was mainly average in his third season and the noise about him leaving started in January.
“He doesn’t leave a hero, he’s moved to earn more money in London, not to play for one of the elite clubs. But he doesn’t leave with the same toxicity as Isak because he handled exit with some decency and respect.
“A good player but never a great one. A loss but not a hammer blow.
“And, if we’re honest, not entirely sure he was ever that thrilled about signing for Newcastle in the first place. He said as much ahead of CL game against AC Milan shortly after he arrived.”
Mark Douglas (@MsiDouglas) said: “I don’t think #nufc need to give it the whole ‘go smash it in the future’ with Tonali that Anthony Gordon – deservedly – got.
“Not hugely convinced he really wanted to leave Milan in first place, one very good season, very average at times last year, they stood by him during his ban, he did his part of the bargain, clearly wanted to go, got a good price in the end, not desperately sad to see him go. Certainly no great sentiment about any of it but they’re losing a v.good player and need to respond well in the market now or face all kinds of questions.
“My view was always #nufc needed major reset because things had gone very stale. But jury is out atm on what next season looks like but they have opportunity to bring in some very good young players…”
Charlie Bennett (@CharIieBennett): “I actually feel sorry for Sandro Tonali.
“He didn’t really want Spurs, did he? Arsenal or Man City is where he wanted – his agent said it.
“I don’t think this is the “next step” that he craves. His inner click fancied London and Tottenham were the last ones on offer.”
Here’s how fans reacted as Sandro Tonali speaks on his club record £100m pending move to Tottenham…
@1867FTBL: hows he even allowed to say all of this before its been announced
@LancsMag84: £100m is too much to turn down it is very good business from #NUFC. No thanks to NUFC or its fanbase after standing by him during his ban. Fans singing his name week in week out throughout his ban. Classless from Sandro. We move on ⚫️⚪️⚫️⚪️
@AdamMcGonnell4: Not sure on the hate to Tonali and we will be a much worse side without him, his recoveries and ball retention was unbelievable, didn’t do much in the final third but was defensively solid #nufc
@MDS2976: Not arsed about losing Gordon or Tonali, especially when we’ve doubled our money on both over 3 years. Not many players stay at a club for 3 years plus so it was a natural time to move them on. The exception to the rule is Bruno. He has to stay at all costs #NUFC
@peter199108: Never felt Tonali wanted to be here from the start, If it wasn’t for the ban I think he’d still be at Milan, He gave us one brilliant season out of 3. He’ll be a miss, but £100m is too good to turn down. Spurs get their statement signing, we get a huge fee to reinvest. #NUFC #THFC
@JoshGorst3: If you’re questioning why Sandro Tonali is leaving NUFC for more cash in London don’t forget this is the guy who left AC Milan his boyhood club for more money and us. It’s football. We’ve got a brilliant deal for him. He’s been pants for ages anyway. So best wishes #NUFC
@GeordieT0FF: Not quite sure why people are slating Tonali, aye if he left for next to nowt then I’d get it. Pushing 100m, Declan Rice figures. Cracking player, probably will do alright at the top 6s little ginger brother of a club in Spurs, but the price tag, be silly not. Enjoy Sandro #Nufc
@ToonTakeover_: These Tonali quotes are absolutely classless. He’s disrespected #THFC by talking about a return to Italy before he’s even signed for them. He hasn’t even said a “goodbye” message to #NUFC fans before he’s talking about his “new adventure” in London. You couldn’t make it up.
@Pooliemags1Ttv: Tonali talking about moving back to Italy already 😬😂 #nufc
@08Mcilroy: I don’t get all the Newcastle fans crying and calling tonali names. It’s not like he’s put in a request. People move on that’s football and 100m is great money. Helped us win a cup also. Good luck to him #nufc #tonali
@NUFC_HQ: £100m for Tonali? Take the money and run. Spurs a bizarre move on the face of it, but if they’re finally backing a manager and showing some ambition then fair enough. No excuses now though. Bruno absolutely cannot be sold. Replacements and reinforcements needed fast. #NUFC
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