Tonali to Tottenham for £100m: Who Won and Who Lost in the 2026 Transfer Window
The summer 2026 transfer window has already delivered moves that will spark debate for months. Sandro Tonali moved from Newcastle to Tottenham for £100 million, Elliot Anderson swapped Nottingham Forest for Manchester City for £116 million, and Spurs also signed Matheus Fernandes for £85m. Three massive deals in 48 hours. Not all parties came away satisfied.
Newcastle: The Dream That Collapsed
Two years ago, the Magpies were being touted as the next great European project, backed by Saudi petrodollars. The reality in 2026 is very different: 12th place in the Premier League, wasted signings, and the departure of Tonali to a direct rival. It hurt. And it wasn’t the only blow: Bruno Guimarães is also expected to leave St. James’ Park in the coming weeks.
The problem isn’t just losing an elite player. It’s where the money goes. With the owners slowing their investment pace, the fans don’t even have the consolation of imagining that the £100 million will bring back someone of the same calibre.
Tottenham: Bet on the Present
The Spurs are spending like a top club and that is a radical change from the Daniel Levy era, when the club stayed out of the race for big names.
Tonali was one of the best midfielders in the Premier League over the last two seasons. At 26, he has plenty of football ahead of him and looks a good fit for the Italian coach’s system. The risk exists — after all, Spurs finished 17th in the last two editions — but the fans finally have reason to believe. Grade for Tonali: B+. For Fernandes: C+.
Manchester City and the “English Tax” on Anderson
£116 million for Elliot Anderson. The figure is shocking, but there is an explanation. With Rodri’s imminent departure — and no convincing successors in the squad — City went to the market for a high-level holding midfielder for the post-Pep Guardiola era. Anderson won more duels and had more touches than any other player in the Premier League last season. The profile fits.
The problem is the price. Anderson is a top player, but £116 million is money that could fund two or three signings in other positions. If he gets injured or fails to adapt, the margin for error is practically zero. Grade for City: C. For Anderson: A+.
Saibari to Bayern: The Quietest Deal — and Perhaps the Best
While the Premier League consumed the headlines, Bayern Munich quietly signed Ismael Saibari for €50 million. The Moroccan was decisive in the World Cup group stage, scored in three consecutive games and converted the penalty that eliminated the Netherlands. But the deal had been in the works for months — it wasn’t a reaction to tournament hype.
Versatile, technical and 25 years old, Saibari arrives at the Allianz Arena to reinforce an already fearsome attack. PSV sold for a healthy fee a player who cost just over €5 million four years ago. Everyone came out of this one well. Grade for Bayern: A. For PSV: B.
