Newcastle eyes Italian midfield after Tonali’s €116m move

At Stadio Friuli in Udine, Sandro Tonali warmed up for Italy’s World Cup 2026 qualifier before completing a record €116 million transfer to Tottenham Hotspur, prompting Newcastle United to turn their attention to Italy’s midfield, with Inter’s Davide Frattesi and Fiorentina’s Nicolò Fagioli emerging as primary targets. Tonali had been bought by Inter from Milan three years earlier for just over €60 million plus add‑ons. His move to Tottenham doubles that fee and reunites him with fellow Brescia native Roberto De Zerbi at the London club. Newcastle United, flush with cash after the Tonali deal, are reportedly seeking to overhaul their midfield. Tuttomercatoweb suggests the English side will look back to Italian talent to fill the void.

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Davide Frattesi is not in Inter’s long‑term plans and has already been linked with a Premier League switch to Nottingham Forest. The 26‑year‑old remains under contract until June 2028, and Inter expect to receive around €30 million for his departure. Nicolò Fagioli arrived at Fiorentina after developing in Juventus’s youth academy and was transferred for a total €16 million plus add‑ons in February 2025. The 25‑year‑old has amassed 100 Serie A appearances, scoring six goals and providing eleven assists. His creative profile makes him an attractive option for Newcastle’s midfield rebuild. Both Fagioli and Tonali received lengthy bans after breaching gambling regulations in 2023. Fagioli’s struggle with gambling addiction at Juventus prompted him to approach authorities, which sparked a wider investigation into other players. If Newcastle secure either Italian midfielder, they will add experience and versatility to a squad that has just lost a record‑breaking talent. The pursuit underscores the Premier League’s growing interest in Serie A players as clubs reshape their rosters.