Sandro Tonali’s agent has revealed how Roberto De Zerbi’s personal intervention and Tottenham Hotspur’s new transfer strategy helped convince the midfielder to join Spurs despite reported interest from Manchester City.
Tottenham broke their club transfer record in July, paying Newcastle United £100m (€108m) for the Italy international.
Tonali had been considering a new challenge after three years at Newcastle, with Manchester City among the clubs linked with the 26-year-old.
De Zerbi personally pushed for Tonali
Tonali’s agent Giuseppe Riso has now explained how important De Zerbi was to the transfer.
Speaking on Colpi da Maestro, in comments relayed by TuttoMercatoWeb, Riso revealed that the Tottenham manager personally visited Tonali to explain his plans.
“After Newcastle, Tottenham showed they’re choosing differently; they’re courageous,” Riso said.
“Tottenham was reborn after the end of the season; Tottenham survived, and De Zerbi came to the house, telling him they needed him as a leader.”
Riso then made clear how influential that conversation proved.
“The relationship with De Zerbi carried a lot of weight.”
That provides further context to Tonali’s decision after Riso previously said Tottenham’s project made choosing the north London club easier.
Tottenham changed approach in huge summer rebuild
Tonali’s arrival was part of an aggressive change in direction at Tottenham.
De Zerbi took charge in March and helped Spurs avoid relegation before being heavily backed during the summer transfer window.
Tottenham subsequently invested more than €350m in their squad, with Tonali and Mateus Fernandes among the major additions.
According to Riso, Tottenham’s willingness to take a different and more ambitious approach helped attract Tonali.
The midfielder was not short of reported alternatives, with Manchester City linked during the summer, but Spurs ultimately secured his signature.
Tonali now faces challenge of changing Tottenham’s fortunes
The difficult part is now delivering on those expectations.
Tottenham have collected only two points from their opening five Premier League matches and currently sit bottom of the table.
Tonali has played 429 minutes across five appearances, making him an important part of De Zerbi’s team immediately after his arrival.
A £100m transfer inevitably brings significant expectations, particularly after Tottenham identified him as someone capable of becoming a leader in their rebuild.
His agent’s comments make clear that De Zerbi sold Tonali on precisely that role. With Spurs already under pressure, the Italian now has an early opportunity to demonstrate why Tottenham were prepared to make him their record signing.
Key Points
- Tottenham paid a club-record £100m to sign Sandro Tonali from Newcastle United.
- Agent Giuseppe Riso says Roberto De Zerbi personally visited Tonali and told him Spurs needed him as a leader.
- Riso says Tonali’s relationship with De Zerbi “carried a lot of weight” in his decision.
- Manchester City had also been linked with the Italy international.
- Tonali has played 429 minutes in Tottenham’s opening five matches.
What’s Next
Tottenham need their major summer investment to start producing results after taking only two points from five league matches.
Tonali was recruited as a central figure in De Zerbi’s project rather than simply another addition to the squad. His performances will therefore be under particular scrutiny as Spurs attempt to climb away from the bottom of the Premier League.
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