Tottenham emerged, almost out of nowhere, in the race to sign Sandro Tonali from Newcastle this week.

The Italian looks likely to leave St James’ Park this summer as Newcastle aim to continue to comply with Financial Fair Play restrictions and the new Premier League Squad Cost Ratio rules coming into play.

The Magpies have already sold Anthony Gordon to Barcelona in a £69million deal, with the Magpies expected to let two big-name players leave this summer.

Roberto De Zerbi sees Tonali as the perfect midfield signing

Tonali has been the subject of much interest from the likes of Arsenal – who made a late bid to sign him in the January transfer window – Manchester United and Manchester City, with both Manchester clubs looking to strengthen in central midfield this summer.

But Spurs entered the race to sign the 26-year-old, with Roberto De Zerbi driving the move to sign the midfielder, as he looks to bolster an ailing Tottenham squad that has finished in 17th place in the Premier League in back-to-back seasons.

GIVEMESPORT understands that Tottenham are willing to pay between £80million and £85million to seal the deal, with potentially more in add-ons too and Tonali is reportedly keen on the move.

Tottenham want to make a statement signing for De Zerbi and prove they are willing to invest in the squad for the new head coach to turn around the club’s fortunes and bringing in Tonali would certainly be that. For starters, Tonali would be a club-record signing, beating the £65million spent on Dominic Solanke two seasons ago.

And it may well be that Spurs have already got the green light to secure a deal for Tonali, described by Football Italia as the “best midfielder in the country”, this summer.

As already mentioned, there are a number of other clubs who have been lin ked with a move for the Italian, but will they actually follow through with that interest?

Other clubs drop out of the race to sign Tonali

Manchester City’s top priority is Elliot Anderson, with the Citizens already having two bids of more than £100million rejected by Nottingham Forest. Will they really get up towards the three-figure mark for another central midfielder in this summer transfer window?

Manchester United have already dropped out of the race to sign Tonali, deeming the package for him too expensive to follow through with, as they turn their attention to other targets.

Meanwhile Arsenal have reportedly agreed a deal with Frenchman Manu Kone. If they complete that deal for a fee in the region of £40million, it would, like City, also be unlikely to see the Gunners splash out more money on another central midfielder.

Tonali’s preference, should he leave St James’ Park this summer, would be on a return to Italy to play in Serie A again, but GMS understands that the finances required to sign him would be out of the reach of the teams who have shown an interest in him.

De Zerbi wants a new central midfielder and Joao Palhinha had been linked with a return on a permanent basis following a successful loan spell last season, but Tonali would represent a significant upgrade on the Portuguese and is four years his junior too.

The Spurs hierarchy want to make a statement signing and the door is clearly open for the Lilywhites to get a deal done.

Conor McGregor has revealed the ‘atrocious’ UFC fighter he wants to face after his comeback fight against Max Holloway in July.

‘The Notorious’ will make his long-awaited return to the Octagon next month in which he will face Holloway – 13 years after their first meeting, which McGregor won by decision.

The Irish superstar is coming off the back of a five-year hiatus, with his last bout in 2021 against Dustin Poirier leaving the Irishman with a broken leg, as well as a second loss to the American on his UFC record.

McGregor vs Holloway 2 Explored

Holloway also comes into UFC 329 following a defeat, having lost a one-sided decision against Charles Oliveira back in March at UFC 326.

Alongside McGregor, Max is considered one of the greatest featherweights of all time, having also had success at lightweight, although this fight with McGregor will take place at welterweight, where the Irishman has experience and Holloway does not.

McGregor is by far the UFC’s most successful commercial selling superstar, due to his outlandish antics and the amount of records his career has shattered.

Speaking earlier this month, UFC CEO Dana White hailed McGregor’s extraordinary drawing power, despite not having fought for so long.

Dana explained: “Listen, Conor, you guys know as well as I do. I mean, he’s a powerhouse, man.

“When he’s involved, I mean, tickets, as soon as they went on sale, you know, went flying. This should break the gate [ticket sales] record.”

Conor McGregor Eyes Fight With Reigning UFC Champion After Facing Holloway

Many have expressed doubts over whether McGregor will still be able to deliver in the Octagon after such a long absence, but the 37-year-old is so confident of victory that he has already started targetting his next opponent.

During a recent appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show, McGregor claimed one of the UFC’s newest champions had shown themselves to be “atrocious” at times and back himself to “tee off” on the current titleholder.

Justin Gaethje pulled off one of the greatest UFC upsets in recent memory at UFC Freedom 250 on Sunday night, as he defeated Ilia Topuria by corner stoppage to hand the adopted Spaniard the first loss of his stellar career.

Gaethje now reigns as the undisputed UFC Lightweight Champion, but McGregor is confident of defeating ‘The Highlight’.

“When Gaethje is on, he’s good, he’s okay. But when he’s off, he’s atrocious,” McGregor said about the American. “I fancy him, handily. I fancy teeing off on Gaethje.”

McGregor Slams “Ridiculous” UFC Schedule

While McGregor is happy with how the landscape looks in terms of potential opposition for the final two fights on his current UFC deal, he is less happy about the timing of his second bout.

According to the man himself, his next fight after Holloway at UFC 329 isn’t set to take place for the best part of a year.

“Right now I am contracted and I have both dates. I have both dates for my fights. I have July 11 – when would you think they would put me back in, when would you think?” McGregor asked Helwani.

“April 2027. It’s almost a year later. That’s ridiculous to me. This is the way the contract was done.”

McGregor clearly has a strong desire to fight sooner following his bout with Holloway, with him and Helwani agreeing that a date like January 2027 would make more sense.

“I’m like, huh? Just give me the f***ing contract, it gets to that stage. I have July 11, it’s only around the corner.”

“Bring it on, baby. The Mac is back and I’m going to put on a show here in this fight.”

Tottenham Hotspur have opened club-to-club talks to sign the fastest player in Serie A alongside Sandro Tonali, according to journalist Damiano Er Faina.

Tottenham chiefs are on a roll in the transfer market as they look to significantly strengthen a side that has underperformed massively in the last two seasons.

Spurs were facing relegation to the Championship on the final days of the Premier League campaign, and ENIC know they cannot afford to repeat it and now is the time they must surge back up the standings under Roberto De Zerbi.

They are already backing the Italian in a big way, with deals already announced for Andy Robertson and Marcos Senesi to join the north Londoners on free transfers.

Tottenham have also reached a full agreement to sign Brighton and Hove Albion centre-back Jan Paul van Hecke, who De Zerbi worked with during his time at the south coast side, as Spurs aim to completely transform a defence that simply hasn’t been good enough for years now.

Spurs officials are looking at other positions too, with Fabrizio Romano confirming that the club is working on two midfield deals in Joao Palhinha and Sandro Tonali, while they are also in talks to sign Manchester City winger Savinho.

Tottenham Swoop for Marco Palestra

via Reuters

Tottenham are currently working on deals to sign Palhinha, Tonali and Savinho, but Damiano Er Faina has added another name to the list in Atalanta’s Marco Palestra.

Posting on X, Er Faina claims that Spurs are in talks with both the player and his club over a summer move.

The 21-year-old is in demand following a successful season-long loan spell with Cagliari in Serie A, with champions Inter Milan heavily linked with a move for the right-back.

Palestra established himself as one of the most reliable in his position in Italy last season, registering four assists and one goal in 37 league games.

The youngster was also recorded as the fastest player in Serie A in 2025-26, clocking an average sprint speed of 27.96km/h.

Tottenham Move for Palestra Unexpected

via Reuters

Tottenham do have some clear weaknesses in their squad as things stand, but right-back certainly isn’t one of them.

Pedro Porro has only just penned a new long-term deal to remain at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and he is a player who looks set to excel under De Zerbi’s leadership.

The Spaniard also has strong competition for the right side too in Djed Spence, who is currently away with England at the 206 World Cup.

Spence is also able to play at left-back, where he will compete with Robertson and Destiny Udogie for minutes.

The presence of Porro and Spence would therefore make a move for the highly-rated Palestra strange, even if he is emerging as an exciting young player.

Palestra and Porro would be able to play further forward if required, but you’d imagine that De Zerbi will use the players he has to fill the right wing slot, or bring in a specialist player for the role.