Sandro Tonali has now spoken for the first time following his record-breaking move to Tottenham Hotspur, with the Italian midfielder explaining what convinced him to swap Newcastle United for north London.
It has been nothing but an eventful summer transfer window so far for Tottenham Hotspur, who have completed the signing of six players.
Sandro Tonali became the latest to come through the door after Spurs reached an agreement with Newcastle United for his £100 million transfer.
The 26-year-old automatically becomes Spurs’ most expensive signing, taking the record from Mateus Fernandes, whom Tottenham only signed a few days ago for £85 million.
Sandro Tonali explains why he joined Tottenham
Sandro Tonali arrives as a player with immense experience, having enjoyed spells with AC Milan and Newcastle United across the last seven seasons.
He also brings international pedigree, with 35 caps for Italy, and Spurs will be hoping he can make an immediate impact on their squad next season.
Tonali’s quality is clear, with the ability to operate in both defensive and central midfield – a versatility that should prove invaluable to Tottenham.
For the first time since completing his move to Tottenham, the Italian has now spoken to the fans, explaining why he made the switch from Newcastle to north London.
The Italian revealed that head coach Roberto De Zerbi was a major influence in his decision as he looked for a new challenge.
He told the club’s official site: “I’m very happy to be here. When I arrived at the Club today, it felt fantastic. People said about there being four or five clubs – there was only one.
“I spoke to the Head Coach for close to two hours about the Club, the fans, the stadium and our football. It was like magic because I knew immediately that I had to sign for Tottenham. I’ve played against Tottenham a few times and always found a great atmosphere made by great fans. I can’t wait to start the season.”
Spurs secured one of the summer’s biggest deals
The 26-year-old was not only on Spurs’ radar but also attracted interest from both Arsenal and Manchester City. Tottenham not only had to convince him to join but also had to make Tonali their highest-paid footballer.
His move, which includes a six-year contract running until 2032, places him on £10.3 million per year – the highest salary of any player at the club.
With the midfielder not involved in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, he is expected to be among the first batch of Tottenham players to report back for pre-season training on 10 July.