Fabrizio Romano names only club left in Tottenham race for Sandro Tonali

Tottenham are keen to improve their midfield options in the summer transfer window and have stepped up the race for both Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali.

Spurs completed their fourth signing of the summer on Wednesday when goalkeeper Martin Dubravka joined on a free transfer and the club have immediately switched focus to landing Portugal international Fernandes.

Fernandes impressed during the 2025-26 campaign for the relegated Hammers, who finished in the Premier League’s bottom three at the expense of Tottenham and must reshape their squad for life in the Championship.

Manchester United have tracked Fernandes, but Spurs are also eager to secure the services of the highly-rated 21-year-old and confidence is growing a deal can be struck with West Ham.

An overall package in the region of £85million for Fernandes is likely to satisfy West Ham, who sold Mohammed Kudus to Tottenham last July after a lengthy period without doing business with their London rivals.

Meanwhile, Spurs’ search for a new sporting director has been paused until the end of the summer transfer window, according to minutes from a recent Fan Advisory Board (FAB) meeting.

Spurs hired Fabio Paratici last October to work alongside Johan Lange in a dual sporting director structure, but the Italian left in February to return to Italy for personal reasons.

Another sporting director was set to be brought in this summer, but during a meeting with FAB on June 16, chief executive Vinai Venkatesham confirmed it was no longer a key priority as they focus on improving Roberto De Zerbi’s squad.

Fabrizio Romano has revealed the Fernandes race is simple, as whoever meets the Hammers’ demands will be able to convince the midfielder to join, and it seems the Tonali saga just got a whole lot simpler as well.

Romano shares Tonali update as suitors ‘no longer’ in race

Speaking on his Youtube channel on Thursday, Romano reported Tottenham are now the only team left in the race for Newcastle star Tonali.

The Italian and his agents have made it clear to those on Tyneside that they want to leave thie summer, but it could be Spurs or nothing according to Romano, with other suitors ‘no longer’ interested.

Tonali had been linked with City, Arsenal and Manchester United in recent weeks and months, but it appears North London is calling for the former Milan star.

Tonali wouldn’t smash Spurs’ wage structure

Tonali’s market value is at an all time high.

Spurs have already seen their £80m bid rejected with Newcastle seeking closer to £100m, and Transfermarkt value him at €80m (£69m), a figure which has nearly doubled since his move to Tyneside.

Represented by GR Sports, who also boast clients such as Nottingham Forest striker Lorenzo Lucca and Atalanta wonderkid Honest Ahanor, the 26 year-old earn’s £120,000-a-week currently, which places him just outside of Newcastle’s top earners.

Importantly for ENIC and Tottenham, those terms – or even an improvement on them – wouldn’t destroy Spurs’ current wage bill.

Bruno Guimaraes has already told Spurs fans what they’d be getting

Tonali’s partner in crime in Eddie Howe’s midfield, Bruno Guimaraes, has already given a taste of what to expect if the Italian arrives to player under his compatriot De Zerbi.

“He went through a difficult moment in his career but he’s always been positive. He’s an unbelievable player and a really amazing guy,” he said (via Keith Downie) after Tonali returned from a gambling ban.

“This morning I joked with him ‘it’s time for you to score my friend!’ So I was just as happy for him as if I scored the goals myself.

“He was out (last year suspended) but he was always there supporting us. He learnt English already, is a massive player for us and I’m so proud of him.

“I feel we compliment each other and the gaffer has found a way to benefit the team with our positions. We rotate during the game who is the 6 and who is the 8 and it is working.”