Sandro Tonali transfer news: Tottenham Hotspur want Newcastle midfielder as Roberto De Zerbi makes Italian top target

Tottenham want to sign Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali this summer.

The Italy international is a top target for Spurs boss Roberto De Zerbi as he looks to rebuild his squad after helping the club avoid relegation from the Premier League.

One of Spurs' top priorities this summer is improving the technical ability of the squad and bringing in a midfielder who can dictate play.

Tonali has been identified by De Zerbi as an ideal candidate for that role.

The Italian will have a big say on transfers this summer and a move for Tonali would underline Spurs' commitment to backing De Zerbi and their promise to spend significantly on improving the squad.

Newcastle would only consider selling Tonali, who has a contract until 2029, for a huge fee. They do not want to lose him.

Tonali's current deal, signed in 2024 when he was serving a 10-month gambling ban, does not include a release clause, which puts Newcastle in a strong negotiating position.

Sky Sports News reported in April that there was a general understanding that Tonali - along with Anthony Gordon and Tino Livramento - may like a new challenge this summer. Gordon has already signed for Barcelona in a £69m transfer.

Tonali is one of the Premier League's best midfielders and has been high on the lists of Arsenal, Manchester City and Manchester United.

As it stands, City and United have prioritised other midfield targets. City are in talks with Nottingham Forest for Elliot Anderson, while United have agreed a deal for Ederson with Atalanta and are now pursuing West Ham's Mateus Fernandes.

In a summer when midfielders are already coming at a premium, City's move for Anderson, which is expected to cost north of £100m, is likely to have a knock-on effect for other deals.