Newcastle United have rejected a £75million offer from Tottenham for Sandro Tonali.
Talks between the clubs are ongoing, with Newcastle understood to value the Italy international closer to £100m.
Manchester City also retain an interest in the 26-year-old, separate to their ongoing £126m negotiation with Nottingham Forest for Elliot Anderson. Arsenal are monitoring developments.
Spurs are supporting the ambition demanded by manager Roberto De Zerbi with an aggressive start to the transfer window.
They have signed free transfer Andy Robertson and Marcos Senesi, added Brighton defender Jan Paul Van Hecke for £52m and have contacted Manchester City for winger Savinho and West Ham for midfielder Mateus Fernandes.
Newcastle have already sold Anthony Gordon to Barcelona and while others could be sold at the right price, they are mindful of delivering a competitive and for manager Eddie Howe having been pipped to the post on Osasuna winger Victor Munoz by Liverpool.
Tonali wants to explore his options this summer and looks set to leave Tyneside after three seasons, if the cub’s asking price is met.