London Football
Why Tonali Chose Tottenham and the New Squad Numbers Confirmed
Sandro Tonali says Tottenham was his only option after a two-hour meeting; he will wear shirt No. 16
Tottenham Hotspur have again broken their transfer record to sign midfielder Sandro Tonali from Newcastle United, a deal that completes a notable midfield investment under new manager Roberto De Zerbi.
Tonali said the choice was straightforward. “I’m very happy to be here,” he told club media. “When I arrived at the Club today, it felt fantastic. People said about there being four or five clubs—there was only one.
“I spoke to the Head Coach for close to two hours about the Club, the fans, the stadium and our football. It was like magic because I knew immediately that I had to sign for Tottenham. I’ve played against Tottenham a few times and always found a great atmosphere made by great fans. I can’t wait to start the season.”
De Zerbi welcomed the signing and explained his long-term interest. “Sandro is a special player and a great signing for our Club.
“I have followed him for a long time, as he came through the youth system at my hometown club, Brescia, and I’m so happy to be working with him now. Given his qualities, there was a lot of interest in Sandro this summer. However, he was very clear in his desire to join Tottenham, and I know our fans will love what he brings to the team.”
The arrival of Tonali is part of a wider squad rebuild overseen by De Zerbi, who reunited with former Brighton & Hove Albion center back Jan Paul van Hecke before directing a significant midfield spend. Fernandes has been given the No. 18 shirt, and Tonali will wear No. 16.
The No. 16 represents a change for Tonali at club and international level. He has spent the majority of his senior career wearing the No. 8 shirt, apart from his time at Brescia when he wore No. 4. The club and manager will now look to integrate Tonali as they prepare for the season ahead.
London Football
Tottenham’s summer spending marks a clear break with past restraint
Tonali and Fernandes signings show Tottenham have widened spending remit after survival. A new era..
Roberto De Zerbi set the tone after a difficult 2025–26 campaign, telling reporters: “Now we have to move on and to prepare the future of our club.” That phrase now reads like a mandate. De Zerbi stabilised a squad that had been destabilised after a brief Igor Tudor era and kept Spurs in the Premier League, and the hierarchy has moved quickly to supply him with the midfield reinforcements he demanded.
Years of tight transfer discipline under Daniel Levy have given way to a much more expansive approach since ENIC’s recent injections of £235 million ($314 million) in 18 months. The club supplemented free-agent additions Andy Robertson and Marcos Senesi with Jan Paul van Hecke from Brighton & Hove Albion, a transfer that Levy, via Simon Jordan, said had “pulled Tottenham’s trousers down” by prompting the club to spend £52 million ($70 million) on a centre back entering the final year of his contract. Back in 2019 Levy believed Spurs would become “one of the biggest clubs in the world.” The current window suggests the new regime is prepared to act in pursuit of that ambition.
Coming off a season that flirted with relegation, Spurs appear determined to avoid previous patterns of settling for second-best. Sandro Tonali arrived despite interest from Manchester City and Arsenal, while Mateus Fernandes had suitors including Manchester United and Real Madrid. Those rivalries for recruits underline the scale of Tottenham’s change in posture: the club is now willing to meet competition with decisive offers, including payments to Newcastle and West Ham United to close deals.
De Zerbi has prioritised midfield balance. Tonali and Fernandes are capable of operating as a No. 6 or No. 8. Fernandes is described as providing tenacity, press-resistance and an ambitious passing range and is likely to act as Spurs’ build-up orchestrator. Tonali, who has a personal connection to the manager, brings intensity and engine. De Zerbi will demand active involvement from both players; the signings aim to have the pair ready for the start of the 2026/27 season.
London Football
Why Mateus Fernandes Chose Tottenham and how Tonali’s Arrival Fits the Plan
Mateus Fernandes joins Tottenham for a club-record fee; he cites the Head Coach as decisive, Tonali.
Tottenham Hotspur have completed the signing of midfielder Mateus Fernandes from West Ham United, paying a club-record fee to beat Manchester United to his signature. The move reunites Spurs with a young midfielder who the club believe matches their style and temperament.
“I’m very excited for this next step,” Fernandes explained. “Spurs is a massive club and the Head Coach was a key part of why I have decided to join.
“When we spoke, it was very special. We look at football in the same way—going onto the pitch as a strong team, with fight and energy, to try and win every game. I can’t wait to get started, to meet the fans, to meet everyone, and give everything for the Club.”
Head Coach De Zerbi underlined why the club pursued Fernandes and how he sees the player fitting into Tottenham’s midfield. “I’ve admired Mateus for a long time because he combines quality on the ball with the intensity and intelligence that are so important in the way we want to play.
“Despite his age, he already has good experience in the Premier League and has shown quality and consistency at this level. Mateus is comfortable under pressure, can progress the ball, works hard for the team and has the courage to make things happen in difficult moments.
“I believe this is the ideal environment for him to continue his development and I’m excited to start working with him.”
Fernandes will not be the only midfielder arriving this summer. Spurs have already sealed an agreement to sign Sandro Tonali from Newcastle United in a deal which will once again break the team’s transfer record. Tonali boarded a flight from Milan on Thursday to finalise his switch to Spurs. He is due to join in a package worth as much as $132.8 million (£100 million), the vast majority of which is guaranteed.
As he prepared to depart for Spurs, Tonali spoke to Sky in Italy about his impending move and, like Fernandes, pointed to the importance of De Zerbi. The two signings together underline Tottenham’s midfield overhaul ahead of the 2026/27 season.
London Football
Tottenham complete £85m capture of Mateus Fernandes as transfer saga closes
Tottenham have agreed a guaranteed £85 million for Mateus Fernandes, beating Man Utd in the race…
Tottenham Hotspur have reached agreement on the signing of Mateus Fernandes from West Ham United for a guaranteed fee of £85 million (€98 million, $112 million), a move that reports say beat Manchester United to the Portugal international. The deal follows weeks of speculation and comes after United were reportedly unwilling to match West Ham’s valuation.
Fernandes, who played every Premier League game last season and recorded four goals and four assists, has four years remaining on his contract at West Ham. He has chosen to join Roberto De Zerbi’s project in north London and is expected to be integrated into a crowded midfield group.
De Zerbi’s options already include Conor Gallagher, Rodrigo Bentancur, Pape Matar Sarr, Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall. Reports indicate the Sweden international has expressed a desire to leave, but Tottenham have no intention of selling him. Meanwhile, Yves Bissouma is leaving as a free agent and Joao Palhinha returned to Bayern Munich after his loan spell ended.
On paper Tottenham are not without question marks. Spurs barely fended off relegation last season, finishing 17th in the Premier League for the second season in a row. Fernandes brings versatility, playmaking, a wide passing range and a high work rate, and he is described as prepared to do the dirty work in midfield. Those qualities are likely why De Zerbi pursued the 23-year-old.
For Manchester United, the loss of Fernandes is a further complication to their midfield recruitment. Casemiro left Old Trafford as a free agent this summer and United have already agreed a deal for Atalanta midfielder Éderson, which is not yet finalised. Having missed out on Fernandes and Manchester City bound Elliot Anderson, United must return to the market to find another midfielder to join Kobbie Mainoo in the engine room.
Fernandes will now arrive at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with expectation that he will help the club restore its standing among the Premier League’s leading teams.
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Six Liverpool youngsters who could force their way into 2026-27 plans
