Sandro Tonali has hailed Roberto de Zerbi's role in convincing him that making the move to Spurs is the right decision.
The Italian midfielder has agreed terms on a move away from Newcastle United for a reported £100m.
That comes despite reports of rival interest from Manchester City - and Tonali has revealed that a combination of family considerations and his connection with De Zerbi was ultimately decisive in picking Tottenham Hotspur instead.
The Brescia connection
De Zerbi and Tonali are both from Lombardy and share a connection to Brescia. De Zerbi hails from the city, while Tonali came up through the youth ranks and made his first-team breakthrough at the Brescia Calcio before his move to AC Milan.
Tonali indicated that a personal connection to the Spurs boss was important in getting him on board the Spurs project.
🚨🎙 Sandro Tonali on his Spurs move and De Zerbi's role. From @SkySport interview at Milan Linate Airport. #THFC W/@MarcoBovicelli pic.twitter.com/ofwhtZTiSxJuly 2, 2026
Speaking to Sky Italia, Tonali said: "Newcastle wanted the best for me and we wanted the best deal for them, so I think once you go like this, it is different.
"So we're all happy, and I'm ready for the new challenge.
"Let's say De Zerbi did a great job. He was a huge factor in all this.
"It was a life choice with my family, because we've been in Newcastle for the last three years and last year, our life changed because our child was born.
"So we decided to change our life a bit, and De Zerbi made a big difference. He did he job and he did it very well. He did it not only as a Brescia native and a friend, but he did it by truly demonstrating that he has a lot of work behind him and he's committed to it."
Tonali added: "We're definitely going step-by-step. First, getting there, getting the medical examinations, signing, and then we have to take everything slowly, starting with the training camp, which won't be easy.
"The World Cup is going on now, so the team will be put together in a month or so.
"The start will not be easy, especially since they're coming off two difficult seasons. We'll try to make sure everything is new and everything is positive."
