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

If you thought Tottenham Hotspur wasn’t a very big club then think again.

The way they responded after finishing 17th in the Premier League speaks volumes. Fear not, Spurs can still attract some of the best players.

The Lilywhites have already secured three deals. They have been the busiest club in the top flight, acquiring Jan Paul van Hecke for £52m, as well as signing Marcos Senesi and left-back Andy Robertson on free transfers.

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

The latest in Spurs’ hunt for a new midfielder

How things would have looked for Spurs if they had been axed. They are on the verge of signing experienced players but now, they are standing here looking to sign two of the best midfielders in the Premier League.

A surprise move could be on the cards for West Ham United’s Mateus Fernandes. Spurs are pushing for the player and inquiries have been made to the Hammers regarding his services.

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

And with a price tag of up to £85m, this won’t be an easy deal to do. It also won’t be an easy deal to complete for Sandro Tonali, although there are high hopes for this one.

Last week, Tottenham launched their first bid, a £75m bid for Newcastle. Nyazi rejected that and negotiations are still ongoing to reach an agreement.

The good news is that unlike Fernandes, Tonali is particularly open to a move to north London as he has agreed personal terms.

The latest in those terms comes from Lee Ryder, the Chronicle’s chief Newcastle correspondent. He points out that Spurs are in a very advanced position to secure a deal despite interest from Arsenal and Manchester City.

City are chasing Elliot Anderson and they are always at the forefront of it but they also admire the Italian midfielder. As a result, Tottenham is trying to do this quickly before it is hijacked.

Ryder also backs up claims that personal terms have already been agreed and goes so far as to reveal the salary Tonali could take if he joins Spurs. It is worth noting that his contract will see the Italian earn £275k-a-week.

Why Tonali could be James Maddison 2.0 for Spurs

Last term, James Maddison endured a very painful time with injuries. He spent most of the campaign with a torn ACL he sustained before the season.

As a result, the playmaker played just 34 minutes in three games. It was very sad that the English player could not fully participate in Tottenham’s final relegation.

Alas, he will play a key role under De Zerbi next season. Overall, he is one of the easiest players in England.

In 2024/25, the player scored 12 goals and assisted 10 strikes. With his injuries, it was easy to forget how important he is to this Spurs team.

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

Signed from Leicester City in a £40m deal in 2023, Maddison made it one of the Premier League’s top six.

In 2021/21, the now 29-year-old scored 18 goals and assisted 12 goals in all competitions. A year later he had ten shutouts and nine assists. Over the years he continued to prove that he had what it takes to play for a big team.

However, with Tonali’s condition, he also had to wait his turn. However, like Maddison, he has been a star for a long time now at the highest level. Whether it’s in Italy, whether it’s in Europe or in the league, the 26-year-old is a consistent player.

Like Maddison, he will be moving from another English club and will be moving as he gets into his head. Described as “one of the best midfielders in the world” by his agent Beppe Riso, this would be a stunning move for Spurs.

A natural number six, he was able to solve many problems in Spurs’ midfield, not least the lack of progress they faced last season but also their inability to penetrate through the lines. For context, in 2025/26, Tonali averaged 6.12 per 90 per cent better than any midfielder managed by Tottenham last season.

Of course, when it comes to playing style, Maddison and Tonali are not the same but the fact is that they both had a lot of knowledge of English football before the important move. That will prove to be an important process for Spurs this summer with Van Hecke, Robertson and Senesi all already from Premier League clubs.