Spurs now ready to sign Tonali’s perfect partner ASAP

From Benjamin Sesko to Viktor Gyokeres, it was the summer of the striker a year ago. Now, with Tottenham Hotspur firmly in the mix, it’s all about the engine room.

The post-Pep Guardiola era has kicked off at Manchester City amid the signing of Elliot Anderson, the 23-year-old set to move to the Etihad for a fee that could reach as much as £130m.

That figure is no doubt set to inflate the midfield market, with it yet to be seen what impact that will have on Spurs’ own pursuits, namely that of Sandro Tonali.

The Lilywhites have already had at least one offer rejected for the Italian, believed to be in the region of £75m, although all the signs point to the 26-year-old heading to north London before the window is out.

He could well be joined by a new midfield colleague at N17, too.

Spurs hoping to wrap up deal ASAP alongside Tonali interest

The suggestion is that Tonali is keen to link up with Roberto De Zerbi, with personal terms potentially already in place even while club-to-club talks continue.

The signing of the Newcastle man would continue the trend of the summer as far as Spurs are concerned, with ENIC having prioritised Premier League-proven additions thus far.

Indeed, former Burnley and Newcastle man, Martin Dubravka, has become De Zerbi’s fourth signing, following the prior deals for Andy Robertson, Marcos Senesi and Jan Paul van Hecke.

Tonali may well be the next in the door, although there is also an urgency to get a deal for West Ham United’s Mateus Fernandes, with Fabrizio Romano providing the latest on that hotly contested pursuit.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano revealed that Spurs are hoping to wrap up a deal for the Portuguese “fast”, as they bid to beat Manchester United to his signature.

“Tottenham are pushing to get Mateus Fernandes. Tottenham are pushing and pushing because they want to be fast and they want to be first on Mateus Fernandes. I told you in a separate story from Tonali.

“But Manchester United remain in contact with the agent of the player, [Jorge] Mendes. Manchester United are yet to give up, and so the story is still open. West Ham are waiting. West Ham feel they are in the best position.

“Who is offering more? They are ready to sell the player. So now depends on the clubs with Man United and Tottenham in contact with the agent of the player”.

Why Spurs signing could be perfect for Tonali

With Arsenal believed to be in the frame for Bruno Guimaraes, both of Newcastle’s star midfielders could be on the move this summer.

The Brazilian and Tonali have formed such an effective combination under Eddie Howe’s watch, dovetailing nicely as two almost old-fashioned, traditional midfielders, with neither man necessarily restricted to being a mere number eight or number six.

Alongside Joelinton too, that trio are arguably “one of the best midfields in the league“, in the view of Guimaraes himself, three powerhouse, all-action midfielders who can dominate any opposition midfield when at their best.

Should Tonali make the switch to the capital, he will need to find a new Guimaraes-style partner to bounce off, something that Fernandes could provide next season.

Like the Newcastle pair, the Portuguese starlet isn’t a midfielder to be pigeon-holed, so adept either as a deep-lying number eight, a more advanced box-to-box option or even as a number ten.

He was a real shining light for the Hammers last season, scoring and assisting seven goals in the Premier League, while having been particularly impressive with regard to his out-of-possession work.

It is then that area where the ex-Southampton man could prove such a perfect partner to Tonali, such is his ability to cover ground and ease the defensive burden on the man alongside him.

In 2025/26, for instance, Fernandes averaged a stellar 3.9 tackles and interceptions per game, while also recovering 5.1 balls per game.

That record matches up well to Guimaraes’ own record back at St James’ Park, the South American having averaged 2.6 and 4.7 for those same two metrics, respectively.

Where the pair are also alike is just how composed they are in possession, boasting a pass accuracy rate of 87% and 86% for West Ham and Newcastle, respectively.

That likeness to Guimaraes should ensure that Fernandes can quickly strike up a fruitful partnership of his own alongside Tonali at Spurs, with the Lilywhites certainly crying out for a fresh injection of energy and quality in that midfield unit.

Tonali, even if he is the statement addition of the summer for De Zerbi, won’t be able to carry the burden all on his own, yet thankfully, if Fernandes is to join the party, he won’t have to.

Exciting times lie ahead in north London…