Spurs are pushing hard to sign Newcastle United’s Sandro Tonali in what would represent the biggest transfer in the club’s history this summer.
Roberto De Zerbi made clear after Tottenham survived relegation that there would be no rest, telling the media there would be no holidays and no time away.
The message was bold but necessary, with back-to-back 17th-place Premier League finishes making it clear that serious investment was required to rebuild the squad.
Spurs have already moved to strengthen defensively, with Jan Paul van Hecke arriving in a £52m deal alongside free transfers Andy Robertson and Marcos Senesi.
However, the club’s ambitions this window stretch far beyond defensive reinforcements, with two major midfield signings firmly in their sights.
Reports have emerged detailing Tottenham’s interest in West Ham’s Mateus Fernandes, with enquiries made over a player who could be valued at as much as £80m.
The Tonali pursuit is gathering the most momentum, with Spurs having seen an opening bid of £75m rejected by Newcastle, who continue to hold out for a £100m fee.
Personal terms with the Italian are reportedly already agreed, and according to Football.London’s Alasdair Gold, there is now a “rising confidence” that a deal can be done, with Gold labelling it a real “statement signing” if completed.
Tonali’s playing style draws natural comparisons to club legend Luka Modric, who made 160 appearances for Spurs after signing for £15m before being sold to Real Madrid for £30m.
Modric, who completed 90% of his passes for AC Milan in Serie A last season at the age of 40, carries a career average pass success rate of 89.4%, while Tonali has averaged 85% across his last two campaigns.
Both players share a similar profile as deep-lying midfielders, functioning in what the article describes as a classic number six role, drawing comparisons to the Andrea Pirlo archetype.
Their ball-carrying numbers are strikingly close, with Tonali recording 1.10 progressive carries per 90 minutes last season compared to Modric’s 1.05 per 90.
Tonali has scored once every 15 appearances and registered an assist every nine games, providing a steady if understated attacking contribution from deep midfield.
Tonali’s agent Beppe Riso has previously described his client as “one of the best midfielders in the world,” underlining just how coveted the 25-year-old has become across European football.
Spurs’ current midfield options, including Conor Gallagher, Yves Bissouma, Rodrigo Bentancur, Archie Gray, Lucas Bergvall and Pape Matar Sarr, have been criticised for lacking the drive and passing quality to consistently progress play.
Tottenham have historically boasted elite midfield talent, with the likes of Dele Alli, Christian Eriksen and Modric all having graced the club during their prime years.
De Zerbi’s appointment has already brought a new intensity and direction to the club, and landing Tonali would represent a major statement of intent heading into next season.
If the deal is completed at Newcastle’s asking price, it would comfortably eclipse the £52m spent on Van Hecke as the most expensive signing in Tottenham’s history.