Big-money star agrees £275k-p/w contract to join Spurs

If you thought Tottenham Hotspur were not a particularly very big club then think again.

The way in which they have responded to back-to-back 17th placed finishes in the Premier League speaks volumes. Fear not, Spurs can still very much attract some of the very best players around.

The Lilywhites have already wrapped up three deals. They have been by far the busiest side in the top-flight, securing the acquisitions of Jan Paul van Hecke for £52m, as well as signing Marcos Senesi and legendary left-back Andy Robertson on free transfers.

But, there is plenty more to do and a big-money midfielder could be on the way. This would really put Tottenham back on the map again as a team to be taken seriously.

The latest on Spurs’ hunt for a new midfielder

How different things could have looked for Spurs had they been relegated. They were on the verge of having to pick up proven Championship players but now, they stand here looking to sign two of the very best midfielders in the Premier League.

A remarkable move could be on the cards for West Ham United’s Mateus Fernandes. Spurs are pushing on the player side to get that one and an enquiry has been made to the Hammers regarding his services.

Yet, at the moment, the Portuguese favours Manchester United. That’s understandable, wouldn’t you say?

Also valued at as much as £85m, this will not be an easy deal to do. It will also not be an easy deal to complete for Sandro Tonali, although there is greater hope with this one.

Last week, Tottenham launched their first bid, an offer worth £75m to Newcastle. The Toon rejected that and talks are ongoing to find an agreement.

The good news is that unlike Fernandes, Tonali is particularly open to moving to north London having already agreed personal terms.

The latest on those terms comes from Lee Ryder, the chief Newcastle correspondant for the Chronicle. He reveals that Spurs are in the most advanced position to secure a deal despite interest from Arsenal and Manchester City.

City are chasing Elliot Anderson and he remains their number one target but they also admire the Italian midfielder. As a result, Tottenham are trying to get this one done swiftly before it gets hijacked.

Ryder further backs up the claims that personal terms have already been agreed and goes as far as to reveal the salary that Tonali could pick up if he moves to Spurs. It’s noted that his contract would see the Italy international earn £275k-per-week.

Why Tonali could be James Maddison 2.0 for Spurs

Last term, James Maddison endured a really wretched term with injury. He spent the vast majority of the campaign out with an ACL rupture that he sustained in pre-season.

As a result, the playmaker featured for just 34 minutes across three games. It really hurt the England international that he couldn’t fully play a part in helping to keep Tottenham in the division.

Alas, he will surely play an important part under De Zerbi next season. In full flow, he is one of the most easy on the eye players in England’s top-flight.

In 2024/25, the playmaker scored 12 goals and assisted ten strikes. Due to his injury, it was easy to forget just how important he is to this Spurs team.

But, why is this a topic when discussing Tonali? They are two very different players after all. Yet, like when Maddison signed for Tottenham, the Newcastle sensation is a proven Premier League player who can take Spurs to the next level. Ironically, both players were linked with Arsenal too.

Signed from Leicester City in a £40m deal back in 2023, Maddison did so having lit up the Premier League for one of the teams outside of the typical big six.

In 2021/21, the now 29-year-old scored a whopping 18 goals and assisted 12 goals in all competitions. A year later he was netting ten and assisting nine. Over a number of years he continued to prove he had what it takes to play for a bigger club.

Well, in the form of Tonali, he has also had to wait his time. However, like Maddison, he has starred for a long time now at the highest level. Whether it be for Italy, whether it be in Europe or in the league, the 26-year-old is a particularly consistent performer.

Like Maddison, he’d be moving from another English club and he’d be moving just as he enters his prime too. Described as “one of the best midfielders in the world” by his agent Beppe Riso, this would be a remarkable pick up for Spurs.

A natural number six, he could solve plenty of issues in Spurs’ midfield, not least the lack of progression they suffered last term but also their inability to punch passes through the lines. For context, in 2025/26, Tonali’s haul of 6.12 progressive carries per 90 was better than any midfielder managed at Tottenham last season.

Of course, when it comes to play style, Maddison and Tonali are not alike but the fact both had immense experience of English football before a prospective move is important. That would appear to be a key criteria for Spurs this summer with Van Hecke, Robertson and Senesi all already arriving from Premier League clubs.