Fabrizio Romano has shut down suggestions of a genuine transfer battle for Sandro Tonali, insisting the Newcastle United midfielder only ever wanted Tottenham this summer.
The respected transfer expert dismissed reports linking Tonali with Arsenal and Manchester City as speculation that never reflected the true reality behind the scenes.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano explained that the Italy international gave Tottenham his immediate green light from the very first moment the club made their approach.
Roberto De Zerbi’s ambitious project at Spurs proved the decisive factor in Tonali’s thinking, with the midfielder placing enormous tactical trust in the manager’s vision.
“I never came here telling you Man City, telling you Arsenal interest, telling you Tonali doesn’t want to go to Tottenham,” Romano stated firmly on his channel.
“Many people said Tonali preferred Arsenal, or Manchester City. But Tonali’s preference was clear from that day,” the journalist added, leaving no room for doubt.
Romano confirmed that Tonali’s position was firmly established on June 15, the day the initial exclusive story broke, with personal terms agreed that same afternoon.
The subsequent two weeks of club-to-club negotiations between Tottenham and Newcastle were effectively a formality, culminating in a record-breaking £92.5 million up-front fee plus £7.5 million in add-ons.
“Tonali agreed personal terms on 15 June with Tottenham, and the negotiation took two weeks — but now the agreement is done,” Romano confirmed, highlighting the deal’s historic significance.
Romano noted that the £100 million total package makes Tonali the most expensive Italian player in the entire history of football, a remarkable milestone for both club and player.
The deal follows just 48 hours after Tottenham broke their transfer record with the £85 million signing of Mateus Fernandes, meaning Spurs have shattered their own benchmark twice in two days.
Tonali is set to become the highest-paid player in Tottenham history, commanding a wage of £275,000 a week on a lucrative six-year contract, according to reports from Football Paparazzi.
The financial commitment reflects the enormous backing that club leadership is providing De Zerbi as he attempts to rebuild Spurs after two consecutive 17th-place Premier League finishes.
Tonali joins a summer recruitment drive that has also brought Jan Paul van Hecke to North London for £52 million, significantly strengthening the defensive options available to De Zerbi.
Andy Robertson, Marcos Senesi, and Martin Dubravka have all arrived on free transfers, adding further depth and experience as Tottenham target a return to the Premier League’s top four in 2026/27.
