GR Sports, Tonali's agency, stand to earn ten per cent of any sale according to the report, providing a clear financial incentive to drive a deal to completion this summer.
While Tottenham Hotspur remain the most advanced interested party — manager Roberto De Zerbi is understood to have strong connections with Tonali's representatives — the Italian has also attracted interest from Manchester United, and Manchester City have not entirely ruled out a move.
Newcastle United have not formally quoted £85 million and have not sanctioned any departure. Their stated position is that they want £100 million for the 26-year-old, though there is a sense within the negotiations that a figure north of £85 million could represent a tipping point.
The situation has drawn comparisons to last summer's Alexander Isak saga, in which Newcastle resisted Liverpool's interest for months before eventually agreeing the sale of the Swedish striker for £125 million. A key difference is that Tonali himself has not agitated publicly for a move — the transfer pressure, according to sources close to the deal, is being driven by his agent rather than the player.
Tonali spent the opening months after his 2023 £52 million move from AC Milan serving a ten-month ban for betting violations. Since returning to first-team football, he has established himself as one of the Magpies' most important midfielders, drawing consistent admiration from rivals.
His agent Giuseppe Riso has never concealed his belief that a move to another Premier League club was a natural next step.
Arsenal's involvement, per Chronicle Live, came in the form of an approach from Tonali's camp rather than a formal bid from Mikel Arteta's club. Sporting director Andrea Berta has identified midfield as a priority area after last season's Champions League final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain, giving Arsenal genuine interest in the player even if the initial contact was agent-led.
Newcastle's desire for clarity on Tonali's future is pragmatic — resolution would allow the club to pursue their own recruitment targets. Tottenham's advanced position and GR Sports' clear intent to force a deal suggest the coming weeks will be decisive.