Why Tonali chose Tottenham in minutes
Sandro Tonali has explained why he joined Tottenham this summer, revealing that his mind was made up within a quarter of an hour of speaking with the club. The 26-year-old left Newcastle United in the current transfer window, ending a spell that had drawn interest from a number of Premier League sides.
Manchester City had been tracking the Italy international closely, with director of football Hugo Viana among those who assessed him as a possible piece in the midfield rebuild being directed by Enzo Maresca. Yet City never moved to a formal offer, and Tonali has now detailed how Spurs won the race for his signature.
According to the player, the decisive factor was the approach taken by Tottenham's representatives. He said he spoke with two teams, but the clarity of the pitch from the north London club stood out.
They spoke with 100 per cent passion, 100 per cent seriousness. Roberto and the director made the difference to the deal.
Tonali also credited his wife, who he said encouraged him to trust his own judgement in the process.
After the last season, I spoke with my wife. We wanted to change our life. I spoke after two minutes with my wife and my family and I said, 'Probably it will be one of my best decisions of my career.' She told me, 'You have 100 per cent the control over this decision.'
He added that he understood after 10 or 15 minutes that Tottenham would be his next team.
What it means for City's plans
For City, the failure to land Tonali has not derailed their summer business. The £116 million signing of Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest addressed the most urgent need in the Blues' midfield, while the club continues to pursue Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille.
That chase has been taken seriously at the highest level, with CEO Ferran Soriano understood to have held a personal meeting with Lille president Olivier Létang to advance talks. The Tonali interest may be over, but the rebuild rolls on.