Tottenham: Tonali reveals Brescia connection key to Spurs move

By Sam Whitlock — 31 July 2026 — 3 min read

Tonali’s move to Tottenham

Sandro Tonali has discussed his decision to join Tottenham Hotspur, highlighting his relationship with manager Roberto De Zerbi and their shared connection to Brescia as significant factors. The Italian midfielder completed a club-record transfer to Spurs from Newcastle, a deal that could reach £100m with add-ons.

Tonali indicated that a conversation with De Zerbi was pivotal in convincing him that Tottenham was the right choice. He stated that he needed only about 10 minutes after their initial discussion to decide on the transfer.

The Brescia connection

A central theme of their discussions was Brescia, a club with which both individuals have a strong bond. De Zerbi was a childhood supporter of Brescia and later played for the club, while Tonali began his professional career there. Tonali mentioned that they spoke about Brescia and the challenges the club was facing, particularly after its relegation to Serie C.

De Zerbi had previously attempted to sign Tonali during his time managing at Sassuolo, fostering what Tonali described as a “mini-connection” over the years. Before the transfer, De Zerbi contacted a mutual friend to ascertain Tonali’s interest in a move to Tottenham, receiving confirmation that the player was open to the possibility. After Spurs secured their top-flight status, De Zerbi contacted Tonali about a potential move, and the midfielder responded shortly thereafter.

The pair later met at Tonali’s home near Brescia for further talks. Tonali noted that he met De Zerbi multiple times in the city during a two-week period. He also mentioned meeting other local football figures, including Roberto Baggio, during his time in Brescia.

Considering other options

Tonali revealed that he had spoken with another interested club but ultimately had no doubts about joining Tottenham. He explained that the initial impression from a conversation with a team is crucial, and his impression of Tottenham was very positive. He also consulted with his wife, stating that they desired a change in their lives beyond just a new city.

He admitted that he would have preferred a move back to Italy, but the financial aspect made it impossible. Italian clubs could not meet Newcastle’s asking price for the transfer fee, although they could afford his wages. Tonali described England as their solution, finding what he considered the best option for his career, football, happiness, and family at Tottenham.

The presence of fellow Italian players, such as Destiny Udogie, and Italian staff members, including assistant Marcello Quinto, fitness coach Marco Marcattilio, and strength and conditioning coach Agostino Tibaudi, has also contributed to Tonali’s comfort at the club. He noted that he now hears a significant amount of Italian spoken around the club, a change from his time at Newcastle where he primarily spoke English outside his home.

Tonali expressed gratitude towards Newcastle, stating that he wanted to ensure the best possible deal for the club during his transfer. He mentioned meeting some of the best people in football there and wanting to maintain good relationships with the staff and sporting director Ross Wilson.

The midfielder’s transfer fee surpassed that of Mateus Fernandes, who also joined Tottenham. Tonali and Fernandes have reportedly connected well off the pitch. Tonali believes De Zerbi’s vision was a key factor in his decision to move to north London.

De Zerbi had laid the groundwork for Tonali’s transfer months earlier, initiating contact through a mutual friend. The manager watched Newcastle’s match against West Ham, a game Newcastle won 3-1, which was significant for Tottenham’s own league status. After Tottenham confirmed their top-flight status for the upcoming season with a 1-0 win on the final Sunday, De Zerbi contacted Tonali the next day to arrange a meeting.

Tonali officially became a Tottenham Hotspur player on July 6.

Source: standard.co.uk