Tottenham agree Sandro Tonali terms as Newcastle demand £100m-plus

Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly agreed personal terms with Sandro Tonali as they continue negotiations with Newcastle United over one of the biggest potential transfers of the summer.

The Italy international has emerged as one of Tottenham's priority targets, with reports in Italy claiming Roberto De Zerbi has personally pushed the club to bring his compatriot to north London.

While Spurs have made significant progress with the player, they still face a major hurdle in convincing Newcastle to lower their asking price.

According to Italian journalist Alfredo Pedullà, Tonali has already accepted the outline of a contract with Tottenham worth between £12 million and £13 million per season before bonuses.

That represents a substantial increase on the reported £8 million per year, plus bonuses, that he currently earns at Newcastle.

The agreement with the player is understood to be in place, allowing Tottenham to focus entirely on negotiations with the Magpies.

Newcastle remain reluctant to sanction the sale of one of their key midfielders.

Reports suggest Tottenham are working towards an offer worth just over €100 million, although that still falls short of Newcastle's reported €115 million valuation.

The two clubs remain in regular contact as discussions continue, but there is currently no indication Newcastle are prepared to compromise on their demands.

It is clear the Italian coach wants to reshape the midfield with players capable of executing his possession-based system. Tonali has long been viewed as an ideal fit thanks to his technical quality, defensive work rate and ability to dictate the tempo of matches.

However, Newcastle are under no obligation to sell. With Tonali contracted until 2028, the club remain in a strong negotiating position despite growing interest from elsewhere.

Calciomercato reports Tonali believes his spell at St James' Park has reached its natural conclusion and is open to beginning a new chapter in his career.

The relationship with De Zerbi appears to have played a significant role.

According to Gianluca Di Marzio, the midfielder wants to "honour his word" to the Tottenham manager after reaching an agreement over the move, despite interest from Manchester City.

Tonali is also said to be doing everything possible behind the scenes to persuade Newcastle to negotiate with Spurs, although the final decision remains with the Premier League club.

Negotiations between Tottenham and Newcastle are expected to continue over the coming days, with Spurs weighing up whether to increase their offer towards the Magpies' €115 million valuation.

If an agreement cannot be reached, Newcastle are likely to retain Tonali for another season, while Tottenham may be forced to consider alternative midfield targets before the transfer window closes.

Would Sandro Tonali justify a £100 million-plus investment for Tottenham, or should Spurs pursue a different midfield option this summer?