'The deal is on’ - Strong Sandro Tonali update arrives from Fabrizio Romano

Tottenham Hotspur came out of nowhere to lead the race for Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali.

It has been speculated for months that Sandro Tonali could seek a move elsewhere this summer, starting back on deadline day of the winter window when he was linked with Arsenal.

Since then, Tonali's agent Giuseppe Riso has been quite open about the fact that he will be trying to secure a move for the Italy international, though Tonali himself has remained quiet.

As well as Arsenal, Manchester City were reportedly interested in the 26-year-old, but suddenly it was Tottenham Hotspur who started showing the most intent, with Roberto De Zerbi reportedly very keen to bring in his compatriot as part of a big rebuild for Spurs.

Fabrizio Romano is like a dog with a bone

Fabrizio Romano has been repeating this news on an almost daily basis as part of his mission to disrupt Newcastle's pre-season like he did last year with Alexander Isak. The Italian journalist has caught the ire of Luke Edwards and many Newcastle fans in the last couple of days, but it hasn't stopped his rhetoric.

Speaking on his YouTube channel about Tonali to Spurs, Romano has insisted that De Zerbi's side is the only side close to landing the Italian this summer.

"On Sandro Tonalli, I keep receiving many questions, many people mentioning Arsenal, many people mentioning Manchester City. 'What's going on with Tonali? Is he going to Tottenham as you say it or not?'

"I stand by my news from last week out of nowhere, exclusive news, Sandro Tonali, Tottenham, full stop.

"I keep mentioning Tottenham and Tonali, Tonali and Tottenham. I remain on my position. Tottenham are working on a deal to sign Sandro Tonali, and that remains the case. Deal on. Tottenham, Tonali.

"I'm not coming here mentioning Man City, I'm not coming here mentioning other clubs. Since I told you Tonali Tottenham last week, the other clubs are no longer mentioned by myself, at least, so let's follow the situation, but the deal is on."

We just want Romano to be embarrassed

There is obviously plenty of truth to Tottenham's interest in Tonali, but at this point, Romano's relentless rhetoric is getting pretty irritating.

We've come to terms with the idea of Tonali leaving, and we've even come to terms with him joining Spurs, but we really hope it doesn't happen now. Not just because we (or at least I) would prefer him to stay, but now I just want Fabrizio Romano to be wrong.

The Blog office is still pretty split on whether selling Tonali would be a good move, but as much as I would prefer him to stay, I do see the sense in the sale. As I keep saying, it's about what we do with the money we generate that will ultimately determine whether it was a good call.