Tottenham's Ambitious Double Swoop for Tonali and Fernandes

Tottenham Hotspur have already torn into this summer’s market. Four senior signings in the door, a new spine taking shape, and yet the most ambitious part of the plan may still be to come.

Roberto De Zerbi has Andy Robertson, Marcos Senesi, Jan Paul van Hecke and Martin Dubravka locked in for next season. Defence and goalkeeper have been addressed. Now the club’s gaze has moved to the heart of the pitch – and to two of the most coveted midfielders in Europe.

Tonali chase refuses to die

Sandro Tonali sits at the top of the list. Newcastle United have already rebuffed an £80m offer from Spurs, a bid reported by Sky Sports on June 20, and are holding out for at least £100m according to TEAMtalk.

That price tag has not scared Tottenham off. Far from it.

Transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano has doubled down on his insistence that Spurs are actively working on a deal for the Italy international, who made his name at AC Milan before his move to Tyneside.

“I stand by my news,” Romano said on his YouTube channel, repeatedly linking “Tonali and Tottenham” and insisting the club are “working on the deal to sign Sandro Tonali”. He stressed that he is not talking about Manchester City or any other suitor in this race. For him, it is Tottenham–Tonali, and “the deal is on”.

Newcastle’s stance is clear: Tonali will only leave for enormous money. Tottenham’s stance is becoming just as clear: they are prepared to test that resolve.

Fernandes pursuit raises the stakes

Tonali alone would be a statement. Tottenham, though, are trying to go one step further.

Romano also claims Spurs are pushing to sign Mateus Fernandes from West Ham United in the same window. The Portugal international has drawn interest from Manchester United as well, even after United’s move for Ederson from Atalanta.

West Ham’s position is straightforward and ruthless. Romano has long reported that they want £85m for Fernandes and are ready to accept the best proposal on the table. As he put it, the midfielder will go “to who’s offering one euro more”.

That stance has set up a straight fight. Behind the scenes, both Tottenham and Manchester United are in talks with the player’s camp, each trying to convince Fernandes that their project is the one to join.

Tottenham’s intent is unambiguous: they want both Tonali and Fernandes. Not one. Both. The numbers are staggering – a combined outlay of around £185m if Newcastle and West Ham get their way – but the club is behaving like a side determined to give De Zerbi a Champions League–level midfield in one swing.

A midfield arms race

The dynamic is brutal. Spurs are pushing to close a deal for Fernandes while keeping the Tonali pursuit alive. Manchester United, having already strengthened their own midfield, are refusing to back away from the West Ham playmaker.

“The story is ongoing while I record this video,” Romano said of Fernandes, underlining how active the talks remain. Both clubs are speaking to the player, both are trying to move first, and neither wants to blink.

For Tottenham, landing one of these targets would underline their new ambition. Landing both would reshape the Premier League’s midfield landscape – and send a message that their early summer business was only the warm-up.