Tottenham: Tonali reveals De Zerbi talks key to Spurs move
Tonali’s move to Tottenham
Sandro Tonali has explained his decision to join Tottenham Hotspur, citing his connection with manager Roberto De Zerbi and their shared history with Italian club Brescia as significant factors. The midfielder’s transfer from Newcastle United to Tottenham was a club-record deal, potentially reaching £100m with add-ons. This figure surpassed the £85m spent on Mateus Fernandes earlier in the same week.
Tonali revealed that he had conversations with another interested club but ultimately chose Tottenham. He indicated that the initial impression from his discussions with Tottenham was very positive. He also mentioned that he spoke with his wife about the move, emphasizing a desire for a complete change in their lives, beyond just a new city.
The Brescia connection
A crucial element in Tonali’s decision was his conversation with De Zerbi, which he described as “magic.” Their talks focused on their mutual passion for Brescia. De Zerbi was a childhood supporter of Brescia and later played for the club, while Tonali began his senior career there. Tonali noted that they discussed the challenging situation facing Brescia, which is reportedly facing bankruptcy after its relegation to Serie C.
De Zerbi had been interested in signing Tonali previously, even during his time managing Sassuolo, Brighton, and Marseille. This established a “mini-connection” between them over the years. De Zerbi initiated contact with Tonali through a mutual friend, the team manager of Brescia, after learning that Newcastle might be open to a transfer. De Zerbi messaged his friend, indicating his interest if Tottenham avoided relegation.
Tonali played a role in Newcastle’s 3-1 victory over West Ham United on the penultimate weekend of the Premier League season. This result helped Tottenham, who were also relegation candidates, as it meant they only needed a point from their final two matches to secure their top-flight status. After a 2-1 loss at Stamford Bridge, Tottenham confirmed their place in the 2026-27 season with a 1-0 win on the final Sunday.
Following Tottenham’s survival, De Zerbi contacted Tonali to arrange a meeting. De Zerbi shared that he sent a message to Tonali the day after the final game, and they spoke within 10 minutes. Two days later, De Zerbi traveled to Italy to meet Tonali at his home near Brescia. Tonali mentioned that Brescia is a small city and he had encountered De Zerbi multiple times there, along with other local figures like his former team manager and Roberto Baggio.
Family and career considerations
Tonali considered a move back to Italy, but Serie A clubs were reportedly unable to meet Newcastle’s asking price. He stated that while Italian clubs could afford his wages, they could not cover the transfer fee. This made England the “solution” for him, his career, and his family’s happiness. He found Tottenham to be the best option after speaking with two teams.
The presence of fellow Italians at Tottenham also played a part in his decision. Defender Destiny Udogie, a compatriot, accompanied Tonali on the journey from London to Auckland for the pre-season tour. De Zerbi’s backroom staff also includes Italians such as assistant Marcello Quinto, fitness coach Marco Marcattilio, and new strength and conditioning coach Agostino Tibaudi. Tonali noted that he now hears as much Italian as English around the club.
Tonali spent three years at Newcastle, a city he described as living for football. He expressed gratitude for the support he received from the club during a 10-month ban in 2023 and 2024 for betting on football matches. He conveyed to his agent and sporting director Ross Wilson his desire for Newcastle to receive the best possible deal if he were to move, acknowledging the good relationships he formed there.
The midfielder’s fee made him Tottenham’s record signing, surpassing Mateus Fernandes, who joined from West Ham. Hopes are high that Tonali and Fernandes can form a strong midfield partnership. Tonali noted that their relationship off the pitch is already strong, which should aid their understanding on the field. He acknowledged that adapting to a new team’s style can take time, but he and Fernandes quickly realized that the tactical approach was not overly difficult, as they were familiar with playing with two midfielders.
Tonali officially became a Tottenham Hotspur player on July 6.
Source: standard.co.uk
Nathan Crowley is the Sports News Writer at NewsUK, covering rugby union, golf and boxing with six years of reporting experience. He moved from regional newspapers into digital sport. He holds a degree in Journalism from Cardiff University and completed an NCTJ diploma. Based in Cardiff, he plays amateur rugby and follows the Six Nations closely. “Speed and accuracy are not a trade-off in sport news.”
