Tottenham Hotspur just shattered its own transfer record by signing Italian midfielder Sandro Tonali from Newcastle United in a deal worth up to £100 million, roughly $133 million. All documents have been signed, and the 26-year-old is now the most expensive player in Spurs history.
The deal breaks down to £92.5 million upfront with an additional £7.5 million in add-ons tied to Champions League qualification. It’s also part of a summer spending spree that has pushed Tottenham’s total outlay past £230 million.
The Tonali backstory and the gambling angle
Tonali’s path to becoming a $133 million player is anything but straightforward. The midfielder previously served a 10-month ban for gambling violations during his time at Newcastle United. He voluntarily reduced his wages during the suspension period.
New Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi specifically identified Tonali as the centerpiece of his midfield rebuild.
