Tottenham have completed the biggest signing in the club’s history after officially securing Sandro Tonali in a deal worth £100 million.
The Italy international arrives in north London following an impressive spell at Newcastle, where he established himself as one of the Premier League’s most complete midfielders after overcoming a difficult start to his time in England.
For Spurs, it is a clear statement of intent as Roberto De Zerbi continues to reshape the squad ahead of the new season.
Tonali’s reputation was already well established before his move to England.
After progressing through Brescia’s academy and becoming one of Italy’s brightest young talents, he starred for AC Milan and played a key role in their 2021/22 Serie A title-winning campaign.
His ability to dictate possession, break up attacks and cover huge areas of the pitch made him one of Europe’s most sought-after midfielders before Newcastle signed him in 2023.
Now he is preparing for a fresh challenge at Tottenham, and he has already made it clear what has stood out most since arriving.
Sandro Tonali shares what he finds ‘crazy’ at Tottenham after £100m move
Speaking about his first impressions, Tonali has admitted that what stands out for him is the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and the club’s incredible fan base.
“I found the great atmosphere, I found every time the full stadium, and that’s not easy because the stadium is so big,” he said.
“The fans can change the game in two minutes. If the fans work with you, it’s more easy for you. So I think the fans are one of the best things in the stadium. I know this stadium is one of the best in the world.”
The midfielder also highlighted the ‘crazy’ passion he has already witnessed from Spurs supporters.
“The fans are crazy,” he continued.
“We need this because we need to put every time 100 per cent energy, concentration and everything on the pitch because we want to win every single game, especially home games, and we know we can.”
Those comments are likely to go down well with Tottenham supporters, who have regularly created one of the Premier League’s loudest home atmospheres since moving into the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in 2019.
The 62,000-capacity ground has become one of the most modern, lucrative football venues in Europe, and Tonali clearly believes it can become a major advantage if the players and supporters feed off each other’s energy.
Why Sandro Tonali is tailor-made for Tottenham and De Zerbi
His arrival also addresses an area Tottenham have been determined to strengthen.
Tonali combines technical quality with relentless work rate, giving De Zerbi another midfielder capable of controlling games both in and out of possession.
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He is equally comfortable receiving the ball under pressure, switching play with long passes or making crucial defensive interventions.
That blend of qualities is exactly why he looks such a natural fit for De Zerbi’s football.
Throughout his managerial career, De Zerbi has built teams that dominate possession but also demand aggression when the ball is lost. His midfielders are expected to play through pressure, recycle possession quickly and cover enormous distances without sacrificing technical quality.
Tonali has already shown he can thrive with those demands, making him an ideal player for De Zerbi’s system.
Add in his leadership, big-match experience and proven success in both Italy and England, and Tottenham have secured far more than just a marquee signing. If he settles quickly, Tonali has every attribute needed to become the heartbeat of De Zerbi’s new-look Spurs side for years to come.
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