Tottenham's pursuit of Tonali shows ambition, with de zerbi having significant influence

The Mail states that Tottenham Hotspur joining the race for Tonali is the first major test of the club's new ambitions. De Zerbi, who has ample authority, has long regarded Tonali as the core candidate for his midfield system. He believes that the Italian international has the potential to be realistically acquired, possessing top-level technical skills along with the defensive toughness and physical attributes needed to establish himself in the Premier League.

However, Tonali, who is 26 years old, has a contract until 2029 with an option for a one-year extension, so the transfer cost will undoubtedly be substantial. If Newcastle United determines that the player is intent on leaving, they will price him based on the valuation of Elliot Anderson – who is expected to join Manchester City from Nottingham Forest for over £100 million. Tonali has no shortage of suitors, with Arsenal and Manchester United previously expressing interest in signing him.

If Tottenham Hotspur wants to sign him, they must break their club transfer record, which currently stands at £65 million spent in 2024 to sign Solanke. This is an investment bracket the club has never touched, and it also reflects the ambition of the Lewis family: after narrowly avoiding relegation last season, finishing seventeenth in the Premier League for the second consecutive year, the management is determined to make changes after this predicament.

After chairman Daniel Levy left in September last year, the new leadership repeatedly boasted about achieving great results on the field but failed to provide actual actions to back it up.

Despite the increasing risk of relegation, the club's transfer activities in the winter window remained lackluster. Tottenham Hotspur claimed to have the financial means to compete and wanted to sign Antoine Semenyo from AFC Bournemouth, but Manchester City was far ahead in the negotiation process, and ultimately, the base transfer fee for the Ghanaian winger reached £62.5 million.

The club did have the funds to compete for Semenyo in the winter window, but Manchester City secured the £62.5 million deal early.

CEO Vinai Venkatesham and Sporting Director John Lange quickly stated at the time that the club's sporting goals had never wavered, and they would be more active in the summer transfer market. Now, as summer approaches, De Zerbi has finally settled on the core midfielder for his entire tactical system: an Italian international who, like him, came from Brescia, previously played for AC Milan, is in the prime of his career, and has already proven his abilities in the Premier League.

When the club was in a deep relegation crisis, De Zerbi seized the opportunity to secure a lucrative coaching contract, then led the team to secure 11 points in seven games to avoid relegation, and now holds ample authority.

The club had originally planned to appoint a Sporting Director to partner with Lange, replacing Fabio Paratici, but ultimately failed to do so, which further increased the head coach's authority. Former Borussia Dortmund Sporting Director Sebastian Kehl failed to reach an agreement with the team.

Tottenham Hotspur also contacted several other candidates, including Inter Milan's Piero Ausilio. The two have a close personal relationship; when Conte left Inter in 2021, Ausilio tried to poach De Zerbi, who was then coaching Sassuolo, to the Nerazzurri, but was unsuccessful. However, Ausilio had no intention of leaving Inter, and the club's search continues.

On the other hand, De Zerbi is eager to build a squad capable of challenging for the top of the Premier League. He explicitly stated that the team needs mature players with experience in major competitions, and every position needs healthy rotational competition.

Robertson and Senesi have joined as free agents, and Porro has extended his contract. Tottenham Hotspur's two bids for Van Hecke were rejected by Brighton, who insisted on a £50 million asking price.

These initial moves are enough to show positive signs; any coach hopes new signings integrate into the team as early as possible. Savinho is a long-term target for the team; the 22-year-old Brazilian winger plays for Manchester City and is also interested in playing in London.

But making a move for Tonali is the most significant action that demonstrates the club's determination.

This player comes from Newcastle United, a team also aiming to consistently qualify for the Champions League, and Tottenham Hotspur must stand out among competitors like Arsenal and Manchester United to sign him.

This also explains why the club did not activate Palhinha's £30 million buyout clause – even though De Zerbi greatly admires the Portuguese midfielder, and the player himself wants to stay. Tottenham Hotspur might revisit the situation later this summer to restart negotiations at a lower price.

But Tonali's ability is on a completely different level. Tottenham Hotspur cannot currently offer him European competition, but they can make him the team's core, a guaranteed starter in De Zerbi's new team-building plan.

In addition, this major signing would make the entire Premier League reassess Tottenham Hotspur; the outside world would finally believe that the club is genuinely committed to fulfilling its long-held ambitions this time.