Tottenham Ready to Break Salary Records in Tonali Pursuit

Roberto De Zerbi's Tottenham squad overhaul continues apace, and their ambitions are about to reach new heights—quite literally in the wage bill department.

The north London side have already bolstered their backline following consecutive 17th-place finishes, recruiting Marcos Senesi, Andy Robertson, and Jan Paul van Hecke. Now they're turning their attention upfield, with Newcastle's Sandro Tonali firmly in their sights.

According to transfer correspondent David Ornstein, Spurs are willing to venture into uncharted financial territory to land the Italian midfielder. Speaking on The Athletic FC Podcast, Ornstein outlined Tottenham's strategy: secure Tonali's agreement on personal terms first, then approach Newcastle with a formal bid.

"What I see happening here is Tottenham trying to get to a place where they know they can do a deal with the player on salary," Ornstein explained. "I'm hearing they are offering him really big money to join them. After that, they will go to Newcastle."

Newcastle are understood to be holding firm on a £100million valuation, alongside substantial wage demands from Tonali himself. However, Tottenham appear ready to meet those demands—and then some.

The club's current highest earner pockets £195,000 per week. Reports suggest Spurs could offer Tonali an additional £80,000 on top of that figure, substantially outbidding existing top earners Xavi Simons and Cristian Romero. It would represent a watershed moment for the club's wage structure.

"It really would be quite something, wouldn't it, if they get a player of Tonali's stature for around £100million, a level they have never been to in terms of transfer fee?" Ornstein noted. "Also, the salary numbers I am hearing would take Tottenham to an area that you did not use to see them go before."

Manchester City and Arsenal are also monitoring the situation, but Tottenham's determination appears unwavering. Fabrizio Romano has consistently reported the club's resolve, tweeting: "THFC determined to get the deal done. Spurs keep pushing. De Zerbi wants him."

Whether De Zerbi's side can outmanoeuvre their rivals remains the burning question, but the message from the Lilywhites is crystal clear: they're prepared to spend like never before.