Spurs Eye Record Midfield Overhaul as Tonali and Fernandes Deals Accelerate

Roberto De Zerbi is plotting an ambitious summer refresh at Spurs, and it appears the north London club's most significant business is about to unfold in midfield.

The pursuit of Sandro Tonali has reached a critical juncture. Newcastle are now bracing themselves for the 26-year-old Italian's exit, with talks progressing beyond the initial £75m-£80m offer that the Magpies rejected. Tonali's trajectory is pointing toward White Hart Lane rather than the Etihad, despite Manchester City's considerable interest and their recent £116m outlay on Elliot Anderson.

The De Zerbi factor looms large here. The Spurs manager and Tonali share roots in Italian football—De Zerbi hails from Brescia, the very academy that developed the midfielder. That personal connection, combined with the prospect of challenging for silverware and European football, appears to be swaying the player's thinking, even as City dangle their considerable resources.

Newcastle's valuation sits at £100m, and the club may prove reluctant to sell to a rival who finished five positions above them last season. Nevertheless, the momentum appears to favour Tottenham.

In parallel, Spurs are pursuing Mateus Fernandes from West Ham, with Manchester United also circling the midfielder. The Hammers are open to offers around £85m, and this remains a separate track—De Zerbi wants both players if possible. United and Spurs are the primary suitors pushing hardest for Fernandes' signature.

The midfield reconstruction forms part of a broader summer spending spree. Tottenham have already bolstered their backline with Jan Paul van Hecke (£52m from Brighton), whilst also acquiring Martin Dubravka, Andy Robertson, and Marcos Senesi. There's genuine optimism about landing Cody Gakpo and Savinho from Liverpool and Manchester City respectively.

Either Tonali or Fernandes will become Spurs' record signing, eclipsing Dominic Solanke's previous £65m transfer fee. The combined value of both deals would represent a £185m investment in reshaping the club's midfield architecture under De Zerbi's direction.