When does Tottenham coach Roberto De Zerbi want to sign Newcastle star Sandro Tonali

Roberto De Zerbi has been chasing Tottenham transfer targets since as far back as his Sassuolo days, with the Lilywhites now exploring a deal for the player.

Spurs’ pursuit of Sandro Tonali is quickly becoming one of the biggest transfer stories of the summer.

The north London club, after signing a £52m deal for Jan Paul van Hecke, are ready to open negotiations after identifying the Newcastle midfielder as the frontrunner for De Zerbi (Fabrizio Romano).

Recent reports have suggested that Spurs are keen to press hard for the Italy international, and there have been claims that Tottenham are willing to explore a deal worth more than £100 million if it gives them a realistic chance of landing their man.

That level of commitment highlights how highly Tonali is rated within the club, and shows the impact De Zerbi has on Tottenham’s transfer strategy.

The Italian has already overseen the arrivals of Andy Robertson, Marcos Senesi and van Hecke as he begins to rebuild the squad, and Tonali could be next in line despite competition from Arsenal and Man City.

Now, it seems that De Zerbi is looking for a midfielder who can be the head of his project.

While many fans may consider this a recent development, De Zerbi’s admiration for the Newcastle star actually goes back a long way.

According to a BBC report, the manager of Tottenham identified Tonali as a target when he was still training in Italy.

De Zerbi wanted Tonali at Sassuolo as Tottenham explored a deal for Newcastle

Long before either man made it to the Premier League, De Zerbi had spotted the midfielder’s talent.

The report explains that his gratitude started with Tonali’s emergence as one of the young upstarts in Italian football, and during De Zerbi’s time at Sassuolo, he is said to have viewed Tonali as a player who could become a star.

That long-standing interest helps explain why Tottenham are now investing so much effort in the pursuit as De Zerbi leads the north London project.

This is not just the manager’s response to the player’s recent season. Rather, it appears to be a continuation of a relationship built on years of mutual respect.

For De Zerbi, Tonali represents many of the qualities he values ​​most in a midfielder.

The Newcastle star is technically gifted, comfortable under pressure and able to control the quality of the game, and brings tenacity and defensive discipline, making him one of the most complete midfielders in the Premier League at his best.

Paul Scholes even suggested late last year that the ‘brilliant’ Tonali would be a ‘better’ midfielder than Arsenal star Declan Rice.

Of course, Newcastle are a major obstacle to any move for him, and Tonali believes he is keen on a move to N17.

Newcastle are well aware of his value with a rumored £100m price tag, but as things stand, Spurs appear undeterred.