Man City Plot Audacious Tonali Swoop to Derail Spurs' Italian Dream

Tottenham's hopes of landing Sandro Tonali have taken a significant knock, with reports suggesting Manchester City are now readying a major move for the Newcastle midfielder.

The two clubs have both been circling the Italian international, whose time at St James' Park appears to be winding down. Newcastle have consistently held firm on their valuation, initially demanding £100million before raising their asking price to £116million—the exact figure City are paying Nottingham Forest for Elliot Anderson.

Spurs had appeared to be moving decisively. The club are prepared to match Newcastle's £116m demand, and crucially, Tonali has already put pen to paper on personal terms with the Lilywhites. The midfielder is keen on the prospect of working under fellow Italian Roberto De Zerbi at Tottenham.

Yet City's emergence as a genuine threat could complicate matters entirely. Spanish outlet Marca claims the Sky Blues are preparing to table an offer in excess of €110 million (roughly £95m), which would constitute a record transfer fee for an Italian player. The report suggests City, operating under new manager Enzo Maresca and actively hunting midfield reinforcements, are prepared to make serious noise in the market.

It's worth noting that Marca's report stands largely alone for now—other outlets haven't corroborated City's interest—so some caution is warranted. Yet with Maresca's regime keen to reshape the midfield, a significant splash for Tonali wouldn't represent a shock.

Tonali's credentials speak for themselves. He's become one of the Premier League's standout midfielders and remains a fixture in the Italian national setup. His experience in English football, honed over two or three seasons at Newcastle, makes him an attractive prospect for any ambitious suitor.

The speculation has even caught the attention of former Manchester United stalwart Paul Scholes, who believes Tonali would be an exceptional addition to Old Trafford. Scholes has highlighted the midfield as a persistent problem area for United and suggested the club should be exploring options like Tonali—though he acknowledged uncertainty over whether United would be willing to commit £90-100million to such a deal. Scholes argued that without significant investment in the engine room, United's chances of challenging next season appear limited.

Mateo Retegui currently holds the record for the most expensive Italian transfer ever. Al Nassr paid Atalanta €68 million for the striker in summer 2025.