Newcastle United have turned down an opening offer from Tottenham Hotspur for midfielder Sandro Tonali, with the bid understood to be worth around £80 million.

Spurs manager Roberto de Zerbi has long admired the 26-year-old Italian, and the club had been examining the financial feasibility of a deal. However, Newcastle dismissed their first approach earlier this week, believing they can command a significantly higher fee.

Newcastle's strong hand

Newcastle are holding firm, with sources indicating they expect a figure closer to £100 million — and with good reason. Both Manchester City and Arsenal are monitoring the situation, which places the Magpies in a position of considerable leverage.

Although the club recently sold Anthony Gordon to Barcelona, chief executive David Hopkinson has been explicit that Newcastle will only move players on their terms. Tonali, who signed a new contract during his 10-month betting ban as a gesture of loyalty to the club, is effectively tied to Newcastle until 2030.

The current transfer market also supports Newcastle's valuation. Manchester City saw a second bid of approximately £120 million rejected by Nottingham Forest for Elliot Anderson, while relegated West Ham are seeking up to £80 million for Mateus Fernandes — figures that set a telling benchmark for elite midfielders.

A new direction at Tottenham

This approach for Tonali represents a significant change in ambition at Tottenham Hotspur, a club that had never previously broken the £65 million deal for Dominic Solanke. Coming off a season in which they avoided relegation on the final day, senior figures at the club — including chief executive Vinai Venkatesham — have made clear that such a perilous campaign must never be repeated.

Spurs have already moved boldly in this window, committing £52 million to defender Jan Paul van Hecke and adding Andy Robertson and Marcos Senesi on free transfers. Yet their opening offer for Tonali was rejected without hesitation.

The rebuff is telling. In the same week that Newcastle missed out to Liverpool in the race to sign Spain winger Victor Munoz, it would have been a damaging signal had Spurs secured Tonali on their terms. It is clear that prising the Italian from Tyneside will require a considerably more substantial offer.