Liverpool are reportedly ready to battle Tottenham and launch a stunning £103m transfer ‘hijack’ for Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali as Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes eye a blockbuster summer rebuild under Andoni Iraola.
Liverpool are bracing themselves for what promises to be an incredibly busy summer transfer window after finishing fifth in the Premier League and sacking Arne Slot in what was an underwhelming 2025/26 campaign.
Last summer, Fenway Sports Group’s (FSG) CEO of Football Michael Edwards and sporting director Richard Hughes sanctioned a staggering spending spree of over £400 million on new talent.
Supporters quite reasonably expected those blockbuster arrivals to transform the Reds into the best team in the world and deliver back-to-back Premier League title after lifting the League in Slot debut season in England. High-profile additions Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz were supposed to complement Mohamed Salah’s world-class ability and elevate the attack to a devastating new level.
Instead, the reality proved far more sobering. Isak’s debut campaign was heavily disrupted by constant injury setbacks, while Wirtz spent most of the season looking entirely lost in his new surroundings and Mohamed Salah had fractured relationship with the former coach.
Now, with Andoni Iraola at the helm and bringing fresh tactical ideas to the dugout, Hughes and Edwards are planning extensive changes. Reports suggest Liverpool are now positioning themselves to hijack a major deal from one of their fiercest Premier League rivals.
The £103m battle lines
Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali has emerged as one of the most talked-about names in the current market.
Since the summer window opened, Tottenham Hotspur have heavily pursued the Italian international, with new boss Roberto de Zerbi making the 26-year-old his absolute priority. De Zerbi wants major squad reinforcements to avoid another exhausting relegation battle in North London.
While Tonali would instantly solidify the Spurs midfield, Newcastle’s astronomical valuation is stalling the deal. Now, Liverpool have entered the conversation. According to a fresh report from Italian outlet La Gazzetta dello Sport, the Reds are ready to battle a host of domestic rivals for his signature.
“With safety secured, De Zerbi has received assurances of a top-notch transfer market from the Spurs board,” the Italian publication stated.
“A significant investment is ready, as recommended by the Brescian coach, who has put the midfielder, who won the Italian title with AC Milan in 2022, at the top of his list of preferences.
“Newcastle, however, has no intention of cutting corners and is aiming to make a substantial capital gain compared to the €65 million they paid the Rossoneri three years ago.
“The starting price is €100 million, but given the interest expressed by other big clubs (Arsenal, Liverpool, and Manchester United), the €120 million mark could easily be breached.”
Solving the number six problem
During the 2025-26 campaign. Both Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister endured poor individual seasons, exposing the backline and leading to costly defensive errors and conceding plenty of goals.
The squad’s glaring lack of defensive work rate from central areas has forced Edwards and Hughes to prioritise an elite specialist number six this summer. While Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton and Real Madrid’s Eduardo Camavinga remain the most concrete targets on the club’s shortlist, a successful hijack for Tonali would represent a massive statement of intent. Even at a premium £103.3 million (€120m) price tag, the investment makes sense.
Tonali stood out as one of Newcastle’s few consistent performers during a difficult 2025-26 season for Eddie Howe’s side. Paying upwards of £103 million is a massive gamble, but Tonali offers a rare profile: an elite defensive midfielder with extensive Premier League experience who is only just entering his prime at 26.
For Hughes, Edwards, and Iraola, it looks like a risk well worth taking.
The Magpies have already lost star winger Anthony Gordon to Barcelona this summer, and further high-profile departures look increasingly likely.
Rumors are already circulating that Liverpool have established contact with Bruno Guimaraes’ agent, meaning Newcastle face a desperate fight to keep their core midfield intact.
Tottenham have already seen a formal January bid for Tonali rejected, but Arsenal and Manchester City continue to monitor the situation closely. As the summer window heats up, the Italian international looks the most likely of Newcastle’s star midfielders to force a move away from Tyneside.