Newcastle United star Sandro Tonali would cost Tottenham £85 million this summer, but where exactly would that place him among the club’s biggest ever transfers?
Tottenham are expected to spend heavily this summer after repeated promises from the club’s hierarchy that Roberto De Zerbi will be fully backed in the transfer market.
That commitment became even more important after Spurs narrowly avoided relegation last season, with De Zerbi himself admitting that he wants to build a new team capable of taking the club forward.
We are already beginning to see signs of that ambition after Fabrizio Romano recently revealed that Tottenham have entered the race to sign Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali, who has quickly emerged as one of their priority targets. According to Romano, the Italian international himself is open to the move.
Tonali joined Newcastle from AC Milan in a £52m deal, making him their second most expensive signing ever, but he has proven worth every penny during his three seasons at St James’ Park. And Romano believes it would take a package worth around £85m to tempt the Magpies into selling.
Newcastle would therefore still make a sizeable profit on the midfielder, but if Tottenham were to complete such a deal, where exactly would Tonali rank among the club’s most expensive signings ever?
Sandro Tonali would become Tottenham’s most expensive signing ever
Tottenham have never been known for spending at the level of some of their Premier League rivals, but they have still completed several major deals over the years.
At present, Dominic Solanke holds the record after arriving from Bournemouth for £65 million in 2024, while Tanguy Ndombele’s £63 million move from Lyon remains second on the list.
Should Spurs complete a deal worth around £85 million for Tonali, he would immediately become the club’s record signing by a distance.
| Rank | Player | Fee (£m) | From | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sandro Tonali | 85.0 (reported) | Newcastle United | 2026 |
| 2 | Dominic Solanke | 65.0 | Bournemouth | 2024 |
| 3 | Tanguy Ndombele | 63.0 | Lyon | 2019 |
| 4 | Richarlison | 60.0 | Everton | 2022 |
| 5 | Mohammed Kudus | 55.0 | West Ham United | 2025 |
| 6 | Xavi Simons | 51.8 | RB Leipzig | 2025 |
| 7 | Brennan Johnson | 47.5 | Nottingham Forest | 2023 |
| 8 | Cristian Romero | 42.5 | Atalanta | 2022 |
| 9 | Davinson Sanchez | 42.0 | Ajax | 2017 |
| 10 | James Maddison | 40.0 | Leicester City | 2023 |
Tottenham expected to continue spending in multiple positions
Tottenham have already saved themselves substantial transfer fees this summer after securing both Marcos Senesi and Andy Robertson as free agents. And as things stand, Spurs have not yet paid a transfer fee during this window, leaving plenty of room to strengthen elsewhere.
Negotiations also continue for Brighton defender Jan Paul van Hecke. Tottenham have already seen bids worth £40 million and £50 million rejected, with Brighton continuing to hold out for around £75 million. However, Spurs remain hopeful that their latest proposal, believed to be worth around £55 million, can move talks forward, especially with Van Hecke entering the final year of his contract.
If that deal is completed, the Dutch international would become Tottenham’s joint fifth most expensive signing alongside Mohammed Kudus.
Meanwhile, interest in Manchester City winger Savinho has not gone away. Reports suggest personal terms have already been agreed, although club-to-club negotiations remain ongoing.
Should Spurs eventually land the Brazilian for around £60 million, he would join Richarlison as the club’s joint third most expensive signing.
- READ MORE: What some inside Newcastle think about Sandro Tonali transfer after £100m Tottenham links