Written by Megan Taylor, sports reporter covering international sports since 2020
Tottenham Sandro Tonali interest has moved to the front of the club’s transfer plans after Spurs reached an agreement with West Ham United for the $164 million transfer of Mateus Fernandes.
Fernandes is set to undergo a medical on Wednesday after Tottenham beat Manchester United to the 21-year-old midfielder. The deal would become a club-record package and continue a busy rebuild under head coach Robert De Zerbi.
For more World Cup football coverage, read England vs DR Congo First Half: Cipenga Stuns England As Missed Chances Pile Up, while official competition updates are available through the Premier League website.
Spurs Push For Midfield Power
Tottenham are now working to add Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali as they reshape the squad following a difficult 2025-26 campaign.
De Zerbi kept Spurs in the English Premier League on the final day of last season and has since received strong backing from majority owners the Lewis family. Martin Dubravka, Andrew Robertson, Marcos Senesi and Jan Paul van Hecke have already arrived.
The Fernandes move gives Tottenham another central option, but Tonali would bring a different profile. His control, passing range and ability to set tempo would give De Zerbi a stronger midfield base.
Chelsea Land Palestra
Chelsea have also moved in the market, completing the signing of Atalanta defender Marco Palestra on a seven-year deal.
The 21-year-old Italy international joins for a reported $90 million, including add-ons. He becomes the first signing under new manager Xabi Alonso, who officially started work on Wednesday.
Reports in Italy suggested Palestra had been close to joining Inter Milan before Chelsea produced a stronger offer and better wages.
Palestra made his senior Atalanta debut in December 2023 before impressing on loan at Cagliari last season, where he was named Serie A’s defender of the season.
Hull City Raise Funds
Newly promoted Hull City have confirmed the sale of Albanian midfielder Aidon Shehu to Panathinaikos for $4.8 million.
That deal follows goalkeeper Ivor Pandur’s $11.5 million move to Rangers. Both sales are expected to help Hull City avoid a breach of profit and sustainability rules and a possible points deduction.
