Sandro Tonali explains £100m Tottenham move for first time ahead of medical

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Evening Standard

2 July 2026

Italian midfielder has spoken about

Spurs

for the first time

Sandro Tonali

has explained why he has decided to join

Tottenham

ahead of flying to London to finalise his £100million move from Newcastle.

Standard Sport understands that Tonali is expected to undergo a medical later on Thursday before putting pen to paper on a six-year contract to become Spurs’ club-record signing, and their sixth arrival of a busy summer transfer window.

The Italy international will join Mateus Fernandes, Jan Paul van Hecke, Marcos Senesi, Andy Robertson and Martin Dubravka in joining

Roberto De Zerbi

’s revoluation at

, bringing to an end his three-year stay at Newcastle.

Speaking to Italian media as he departed Milan airport on Thursday morning, Tonali said he had joined Spurs to take on a new challenge as the north London club look to rebuild under De Zerbi.

"We decided to make a change, so we are ready for this new adventure,” Tonali said.

Sandro Tonali at Milan airport

@LucaBendoni/X

He added: “Newcastle wanted the best for me, and I wanted the best deal for Newcastle. So we are all happy, and I am ready for this new challenge.”

Asked why he has picked Tottenham amid reported interest from the likes of Arsenal, Manchester City and Manchester United, Tonali said: "Let's say that Roberto De Zerbi did a great job, had a big impact in all this.

"It is a life choice for my family, because we come from three years at Newcastle, and our lives change with our child's birth. So we decided to change a bit.

"De Zerbi made a great difference. He did his job, and he did it very well."

Asked if he would be interested in a return to Serie A in the future, Tonali said: “It's always been very difficult; there's never been an opportunity, even though we've talked about it.

“We joke about [joining AC Milan] all the time, but if the opportunity arises, maybe one day we'll talk about it seriously."

De Zerbi is thought to have been a key influence in convincing Tonali to join, and the

boss has played an important role in helping the club attract top talent despite successive 17th-place finishes in the Premier League.

Fernandes, who is expected to partner Tonali at the base of Spurs’ midfield next season, revealed De Zerbi was a key reason behind him joining the club after his £85m arrival was announced on Thursday morning.

With

expected to remain active in the transfer market as they eye up a move for Bournemouth forward Eli Junior Kroupi, De Zerbi’s influence will continue to prove important.

Spurs sources, though, deny they have any interest in pursuing a deal for Manchester City goalkeeper James Trafford after handing Antonin Kinsky a new five-year deal earlier this week.

How Tottenham plan on playing Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes together

Two reasons why Arsenal ‘turned down chance to sign’ Sandro Tonali before £100m Tottenham deal

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How much will Milan earn from Tonali’s record-breaking Tottenham transfer?

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(Photo) Sandro Tonali pictured on way to Spurs medical, already drops major hint about next transfer

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