Tonali: Why Swop Newcastle For Spurs?

When rumours of Spurs interest in Tonali first surfaced the reaction of most most fans was "no chance". Now it appears there is every chance that a deal could be done.

It would mean Tonali swops a team that finished a disappointing 12th for one that escaped relegation by the skin of their teeth. So, why would he even consider it?

Money Talks

Both Tonali and his agent have a massive incentive to move on. Money.

Newcastle's financial restrictions mean we simply can't match the £250k-£300K per week that Tonali could demand elsewhere and Spurs are apparently willing to smash their current wage structure to lure the Italian to the capital.

Plus, there have been persistent rumours that Tonali's agent has been hawking the player around for months, and no wonder. 10% of the transfer fee is reported to be his cut of the deal. If true, he sets himself up for life in one fell swoop.

That 10% would have to be paid by the buying club which means if Newcastle hold out for £100M Spurs will have to fork out £110M plus mammoth wages over at least a five year contract. Ambition or desperation on their part? You choose.

De Zerbi Factor

Spurs new Italian manager has made his fellow countryman Tonali his absolute priority signature to anchor his midfield and De Zerbi has reportedly been in constant dialogue with the player to sell him on the project. Illegal tapping up if true.

For Tonali, De Zerbi's possession-based technical style perfectly suits his role as a deep-lying playmaker. And the money helps to make it a very persuasive case.

Lifestlyle Factor

Tonali swopped Milan for Newcastle and living again in a a city that offers a comparable lifestyle to the one Tonali had in Milan may be a factor for him and his wife.

Us Geordies love the Toon, and rightly so, but for multi-millionaire guys and their partners in their 20's with money to burn, a night out in the Bigg Market or Quayside falls slightly short of Mayfair and the West End. Only slightly mind.

Spurs Not His First Choice

Money is surely the only real factor that would see Tonali signing for Spurs.

If Arsenal or Man City step up their interest with an acceptable bid that is almost certainly where he'll end up with Arsenal reportedly his first choice.

Pelted With Pizza's?

The last midfielder we sold for big money to Spurs was Paul Gascoigne.

I was at the match when he returned to SJP and was famously pelted with Mars bars as he lined up for a corner at the Gallowgate end.

Gazza, being Gazza, picked one up and took a bite.

Will Tonali get pelted with pizza's on his return, or garlic bread if money is tight?

Garlic... garlic... bread??!!

If Tonali Leaves Are Outgoings Over?

If Sandro moves on that's three 'elites' we've lost from the squad that won the LC and qualified for the CL in 24/25... Isak, Gordon and Tonali.

Willock may leave and possibly others, but selling Tino, Hall or Bruno would leave huge holes to fill in a squad that stuttered to a 12th place finish last season.

The recruitment team have a massive job on their hands but, if Tonali leaves, they also have a massive war chest to spend.

Pre-season will be here before we know it - the nights are already drawing in - and we need to see the cheque book out and the signings in.

There has been enough talk of outs...

We want to see players over the proverbial line and in.

ASAP.

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