Sandro Tonali insists he wanted ‘the best deal’ for Newcastle as midfielder explains why Tottenham move was ideal for career and happiness

Sandro Tonali insists he wanted ‘the best deal’ for Newcastle as midfielder explains why Tottenham move was ideal for career and happiness

Sandro Tonali Opens Up on £100m Tottenham Move – and Why He Put Newcastle First

Sandro Tonali has spoken candidly about his blockbuster £100 million switch from Newcastle United to Tottenham Hotspur, revealing that securing a strong financial return for his former club was a top priority.

The Italian midfielder also explained how a brief conversation with new Spurs boss Roberto De Zerbi convinced him that the north London side was the ideal destination – both for his career and his family.

Tonali seals blockbuster Spurs transfer
The 26-year-old Italy international completed his high-profile move to Tottenham this summer, bringing an end to his three-year stint at St James’ Park as he sought a new challenge under De Zerbi. Against the backdrop of Eddie Howe’s departure from Newcastle, Tonali made it clear that he was determined to ensure the Magpies benefited as much as possible from his exit.

Italian star prioritised Newcastle’s gain
Speaking to the Daily Mail in Sydney, Tonali underlined his loyalty to Newcastle, insisting he wanted the club to receive top dollar for his services: “The first thing was to get the best deal for Newcastle. I met some of the best people in football there – they live and breathe the game. When I decided to leave, I told my agent and Ross Wilson that I wanted the best possible deal for Newcastle because they deserve everything. That’s football – sometimes your whole life can change in five minutes.”

He went on to explain that Newcastle’s £100m valuation made a return to Serie A unrealistic, given the financial constraints of Italian clubs, which ultimately steered him toward Spurs: “We spent three years at Newcastle, and after that, we sat down as a family. Financially, it just wasn’t possible [to go back to Italy]. You can talk about wages all day, but if the transfer fee isn’t there, you can’t move. England became our answer, and we found the best option there – for me, for my career, for my football, for my happiness, and for my family. I spoke with two clubs, but within 10 or 15 minutes of talking to Tottenham, I knew that was where I belonged.”

De Zerbi factor proved decisive
Tonali, who also attracted interest from Manchester City, highlighted De Zerbi’s influence and the conviction shown by Spurs as key factors in his decision: “After last season, my wife and I wanted a change – not just in terms of location, but in every sense. We spoke with two clubs, but when we met Tottenham, it felt right. They approached everything with 100% passion and 100% seriousness. For our life outside football, for our family, that counted for about 10% – but Roberto and the director made the real difference. I told my wife after two minutes, ‘This could be one of the best decisions of my career.’ She said, ‘You have total control over this choice.'”

The midfielder also shared De Zerbi’s motivating vision for the season ahead: “Roberto said the project would be tough but perfect for me, for the team, for the city – and that we could have one of our best seasons because we have top players. We just need to put in the hard work.”

Spurs reshape midfield engine
Alongside Tonali, Tottenham also invested £85m to bring in Mateus Fernandes from West Ham, completing a major overhaul of their midfield. When asked about the weight of his £100m price tag, Tonali insisted he was ready to handle the expectations: “That’s football – valuations are different now than they were ten years ago. I know there’s pressure, but I also know my responsibilities and I know this team. I have to play like any other Tottenham player – with passion and energy every day. It doesn’t matter if it’s £1m, £10m, or £100m – you just have to give everything for this manager.”

Tonali previously spent a decade in Italy at Brescia – De Zerbi’s hometown – giving the pair a unique connection. Reflecting on his early impressions of working with his new coach, he added: “We talked about him, his work, and the passion he brings to every moment with the team. Now, after two weeks, I can see it’s all genuine.”

He concluded by comparing his former boss Eddie Howe with De Zerbi: “Every manager is different. I had three great years with Eddie – he was fantastic, especially for me. But now I have a different kind of coach – one who works intensely on the pitch, on tactics, and with the ball. And we love playing with the ball because we’re a big team with big players.”