Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly preparing an improved offer for Sandro Tonali after Newcastle United rejected their opening £75million bid.
According to the Daily Mail’s Simon Jones, Tottenham are expected to return with a bigger figure as new Spurs manager Roberto De Zerbi keeps pushing to land the Italy international early in the window.
“Tottenham’s initial £75m bid for Tonali was turned down over the weekend by Newcastle but Roberto De Zerbi’s club are expected to return with a larger offer,”
Jones reported.
Jones states that Tonali is open to joining De Zerbi at Tottenham, although Arsenal would be his preference if they turn their interest into a formal offer. Manchester City, meanwhile, are also watching how the negotiations develop while pursuing Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson.
Jones reported that Newcastle could be easing their stance on the sale as it might allow them to rekindle their long-standing interest in AZ Alkmaar midfielder Kees Smit, who is valued at more than £60million, facilitating such a humongous offer to be submitted thanks to the money raised from Tonali’s sale.
“Eddie Howe’s recruitment staff have been working through a number of options to strengthen their midfield and AZ Alkmaar’s Smit is one they admire greatly,” Jones reported.
Smit, 20, won the Golden Boot and Player of the Tournament at last summer’s European Under-19 Championship and has since continued to attract interest from top European clubs.
Newcastle’s main appeal to Smit is none other—because there is literally none other—giving him some Premier League football minutes from the get-go, after he missed out on the Netherlands World Cup squad and might find himself relegated to the bench if he chooses a higher-profile club as his next destination.
