Sandro Tonali Transfer News: Comparing the Italian with Tottenham & Man City’s Current Midfield Options
Ben McAleer
Fabrizio Romano caused quite the stir on social media in the week. The transfer guru posted that Tottenham Hotspur were actively pursuing Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali.
Spurs are expected to make a splash in the summer market. They have already signed Andrew Robertson and Marcos Senesi, the pair arriving on a free from Liverpool and Bournemouth respectively. Jan Paul van Hecke has followed suit.
Tonali, though, would be a major coup for the north London side. Yes, he may not be the progressive passer that Spurs perhaps needs. Conversely, he’s a level above the current midfield options at Roberto De Zerbi’s disposal.
Tottenham's interest in Tonali explained
It’s the potential link up with De Zerbi that is driving the pursuit of the 26-year-old. Indeed, Tonali came through the Brescia ranks, and spent nine years on the club’s books before moving to AC Milan in 2021. No prizes for guessing the Italian city De Zerbi was born.
And yes, Bruno Guimaraes may have been the star midfielder for Newcastle last season, but the Brazilian is unlikely to actively pursue a summer exit from St. James’ Park. If push came to shove, then the Magpies would sanction the Brazil international’s sale. The big money departure of Anthony Gordon and Tonali's likely move away negates the need to cash in on the former Lyon man.
It does go without saying, though, that Tonali is a cut above the current central midfielders on the club’s books that are able to operate at the base of De Zerbi’s 4-2-3-1 setup. For comparison’s sake, it’s worth checking how Tonali’s 2025-26 stats stack up against Joao Palhinha and Rodrigo Bentancur.
The pair are perhaps the best fit to play in the pivot, despite supporters’ protestations of the duo featuring together during the early months of Thomas Frank’s reign of pain. It resulted in a lack of progression in central areas. After all, no team attempted fewer through balls than the 2025 Europa League winners (28) in the Premier League last season. Additionally, Spurs’ managerial upheaval hardly helped their relevant passing numbers.
Even so, Tonali’s return of 16.9 forward passes per 90 far outweighed that of Palhinha (12.9) and Bentancur (11.5). 0.2 through balls per 90 was level with Bentancur, but then the Newcastle man created 1.2 chances per 90. Spurs’ Uruguayan midfielder (0.5) was his closest competitor.
Admittedly there are perhaps better progressive midfield options on the market that Spurs could pursue. Adam Wharton, Manuel Locatelli and Angelo Stiller would fit the mould. However, the additions of Senesi and Van Hecke, the defensive duo among the best progressive centre-backs in England’s top tier last tier, lessens the desire for a specialist midfielder.
Manchester City want Newcastle United star
Conversely, it might be that Spurs need to revisit their transfer plans regardless, with Manchester City now believed to be courting Tonali. The Cityzens are expected to sign Elliot Anderson sooner rather than later, but their interest in the Nottingham Forest man doesn’t mean they’ll focus solely on the England international.
However, the departure of Bernardo Silva leaves City short of options in the middle of the park. With question marks over Nico Gonzalez’s future at the Etihad Stadium, Tonali could well be viewed as a replacement for the former FC Porto man.
City’s interest, though, complicates Spurs’ push for Tonali. The possibility of playing under De Zerbi may have sway, but then Tonali would have the opportunity to operate in a side that is expected to challenge for top domestic and continental honours.
And while Tonali may not return the same distribution numbers as, say Rodri, much of that stems from the style of play implemented by Eddie Howe at Newcastle compared to City’s approach with Pep Guardiola at the helm.
Either way, Spurs’ pursuit of Tonali, and the player’s reported willingness to make the move to London, is a huge boost for the club. If it’s a deal the capital outfit can get over the line, then it’s a ceiling raiser that signals Spurs’ intentions to force their way back into the European spots after successive 17th-placed finishes.
