Tottenham boss Roberto De Zerbi has shared the surprising story behind Sandro Tonali's record-breaking £100 million transfer, revealing he initiated contact with the midfielder before the end of last season, promising to sign him if Spurs secured Premier League safety.
De Zerbi identified Tonali as a top priority and made good on his word once Tottenham's top-flight status was confirmed. The Italian manager detailed an "extraordinary sequence of events" involving a mutual friend, the team manager of Brescia, which kicked off the pursuit.
“The story is very simple,” De Zerbi explained. “I saw Sandro wanted to leave before the end of the season... and we have one friend in common, he’s the team manager of Brescia. I read one story about Sandro which said ‘Tonali is leaving Newcastle in the summer’, and I sent a message to my friend to say ‘hey, inform Sandro, if we stay up, I go to him’.”
After receiving word that Tonali was "open" to the idea, De Zerbi anxiously watched Newcastle's game against West Ham, determined to secure Tottenham's survival. "I watched Newcastle’s game against West Ham, 90 minutes like this (indicates sweat pouring down his face), and Sandro played very well in the first half. I said [to myself] ‘if I stay up, I come to you, I come to you, I come to you’.”
For Tonali, De Zerbi's passionate pitch was a major factor. He admitted his "first impression was really positive" and after a brief chat with his wife and family, he felt it would be "one of the best decisions of my career." He was impressed by De Zerbi's Italian connection, his dedication to his work, and the ambitious project presented, which he believes will be "perfect for me, for you, for the city."
With Tonali joining fellow new signing Mateus Fernandes, Tottenham's midfield has undergone a significant upgrade. De Zerbi believes the combination of Tonali's passing and intelligence with Fernandes' dynamic energy can create one of the Premier League's most dominant midfields.
