Sandro Tonali: Tottenham sign Italy midfielder in club-record £100m deal from Newcastle

Tottenham have signed Sandro Tonali from Newcastle United in a club-record £100m deal. The midfielder, who is expected to earn more than £275,000 per week, was keen to work under Spurs boss and fellow Italian Roberto De Zerbi, despite interest from elsewhere, including Manchester City. He told broadcaster in Italy last week that , adding he was moving to London for "lifestyle and family" reasons. It is the second-highest fee Newcastle have ever received for a player. The highest was the £125m that Liverpool paid for Alexander Isak last summer. ⚪ | It is the second time in the space of a week that Spurs have smashed their transfer record after completing the £85m signing of from West Ham on Tuesday. Discussing his arrival in north London, Tonali told the club's official website: "I'm very happy to be here. When I arrived at the club, 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 added: "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 arrivals of Fernandes and Tonali takes the north London club's spending this summer through the £200m barrier. Spurs have splashed out £52m on defender Jan Paul van Hecke from Brighton, while they have also brought in Andy Robertson, Marcos Senesi and Martin Dubravka all on free transfers. It signals a big shift in transfer strategy from the club following back-to-back 17th-placed Premier League finishes after narrowly escaping relegation on the final day last season. The deals for Fernandes and Tonali come after Spurs Tonali: Newcastle gave me more than football - it gave me a home The Italian midfielder bid farewell to Newcastle in a post on Instagram. He said: "Three years ago I came to Newcastle not really knowing what to expect. Today it's time to say goodbye and it's hard to find the right words. "I want to start by thanking the club. To the people who work every day and nobody sees at the training ground, everyone who welcomed me and made me feel at home from the very first day. Thank you to the staff and my team-mates for believing in me and helping me grow. A special mention to the gaffer, Eddie, who's been a real guiding figure and who always had my back throughout this journey. "But above all, I want to speak directly to the fans. When things were hard for me, you were there. Not for one day did I feel alone. I felt it every time I was at St James' Park. That's something I will carry with me for the rest of my life. "Together, we achieved something this city had been waiting decades for. At Wembley that day, it was special, a historic moment we got to share together. To the fans who never stopped believing, who never stopped cheering for this club, who were there in the hardest times, that trophy was for you. "The game brought me to Newcastle. Today I leave with my wife and our son, born during my time here. This city gave me more than football. It gave me a home, moments I'll hold onto forever, and people I will always be grateful for. "Thank you for everything." 'Tonali's a proper midfielder - Spurs will have a good season next year' media' Paul Merson on Spurs' summer business: "Tonali is a very good signing, he is one of my favourite players in the Premier League, he is a proper, proper midfielder. "Whenever I've watched Tottenham, I always think they are a bit over-run in midfield, they do not ever dominate games. "They've got good centre halves and forwards when they are all fit, but they never dominate the midfield and the manager [Roberto De Zerbi] has come in and highlighted that and he has brought in two very good midfield players. I expect them to have a good season next year, but I wonder whether Aston Villa's performance against Tottenham at the end of last season will come back to haunt them. They were comfortably beaten and