--- title: "Milan’s €10.8m windfall from Tonali’s record Tottenham deal" description: "AC Milan cash in €10.8m from Sandro Tonali’s €116m move to Spurs thanks to a 10% sell-on clause tied to future profits." url: https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/how-much-will-milan-earn-from-tonali-s-record-breaking-totte-1effa731 published: 2026-07-02T14:46:07.248+00:00 updated: 2026-07-02T14:46:07.248+00:00 author: "Kostadin Stamboliev" publisher: "Pineido" site: "Sportopod" language: en topics: ["soccer"] --- # Milan’s €10.8m windfall from Tonali’s record Tottenham deal > AC Milan cash in €10.8m from Sandro Tonali’s €116m move to Spurs thanks to a 10% sell-on clause tied to future profits. Sandro Tonali’s €116m transfer to Tottenham Hotspur sets a new record as the most expensive Italian footballer ever. AC Milan will receive €10.8m from the deal, not a share of the headline fee, thanks to a 10% sell-on clause tied to Tonali’s future profits. Tonali’s move from Newcastle United to Spurs finalized on July 3, 2024, with the reported fee breaking the €100m barrier for the first time in Serie A history. Milan’s slice comes exclusively from the sell-on clause, a mechanism that activates only when Tonali’s next club profits from his transfer. The clause ensures Milan earns €10.8m if Tottenham later sells Tonali for a profit, regardless of the original €116m fee. Sell-on clauses have become a strategic tool for selling clubs seeking guaranteed returns without bearing risk. Milan’s clause is structured as a flat 10% of future transfer profits, a common but often overlooked provision in modern transfer economics. The clause doesn’t apply to the initial fee but to any subsequent sale, making it a pure upside play for Milan. The €10.8m is locked in only if Spurs profit from Tonali’s next transfer, which could happen as early as 2025 if his performance meets expectations. Tottenham’s move for Tonali underscores the Premier League’s willingness to break records for marquee Italian talents. The deal also reflects the growing financial stakes in Serie A, where clubs increasingly rely on secondary clauses to offset the cost of selling top talent. Milan’s €10.8m is a direct result of Tonali’s rising market value, a value Spurs are banking on for future resale potential. The clause’s structure mirrors trends seen in other high-profile transfers, such as Romelu Lukaku’s moves, where sell-on percentages have become a standard bargaining chip. Tonali’s arrival at Spurs comes amid a broader Premier League spending spree targeting Serie A talent. Clubs like Juventus and Inter Milan have also seen key players depart for record fees, leaving their academies and financial models under scrutiny. Milan’s sell-on clause is a microcosm of a larger shift: selling clubs are prioritizing long-term financial security over immediate cash, even when the headline fee is eye-watering. The €10.8m is a drop in the ocean compared to the €116m Spurs paid, but it’s a guaranteed return that Milan can reinvest without risk. The sell-on clause’s mechanics reveal deeper trends in transfer economics. Unlike traditional transfer fees, which are paid upfront, these clauses defer revenue while tying it to the player’s career trajectory. Milan’s clause is particularly aggressive, locking in a flat 10% of any profit Spurs generate from Tonali’s next sale. This structure insulates Milan from downside risk—if Tonali’s value plummets, Milan’s earnings vanish—but maximizes upside if his career resurges. It’s a bet on Tonali’s long-term potential, not just his current market price. Another layer is the psychological impact on Serie A’s talent pipeline. Milan’s ability to monetize Tonali’s departure without losing control of his career sends a signal to young academy players: your value doesn’t end when you leave. For a club like Milan, which has produced talents like Paolo Maldini and Gennaro Gattuso, this clause reinforces a business model where every asset—even departing ones—generates revenue. It’s a far cry from the days when clubs treated academy graduates as either retained assets or lost costs. What’s next: Milan will monitor Tonali’s performance at Spurs, as his development could further inflate his market value. If Spurs later sell Tonali for €150m, Milan’s clause would trigger an additional €4.2m (10% of the €42m profit). Clubs like Milan are likely to double down on such clauses in future deals, balancing risk and reward in an era of inflated transfer fees. Milan’s commercial team may also explore similar structures for other academy graduates, ensuring every asset is monetized to the fullest. Reaction: “Sell-on clauses are the closest thing to a free bet in football,” said a senior executive at a top European club who requested anonymity. “You get paid for talent you no longer control, and the upside is uncapped. Milan’s €10.8m is a textbook example of how to extract value from a player’s career trajectory.” ## Why this matters Sell-on clauses remain a low-risk, high-reward strategy for selling clubs, even when they’re not direct beneficiaries of headline transfer fees. Milan’s €10.8m from Tonali’s record-breaking move proves that secondary mechanisms can deliver substantial windfalls. In an era of escalating transfer costs, such clauses offer a way to monetize talent without bearing the full financial risk of a sale. The clause’s structure also highlights how modern transfer economics prioritize long-term financial planning over short-term gains, a shift that could redefine how clubs value their academy products and outgoing deals. The psychological boost to Serie A’s talent pipeline—where clubs can profit from players long after they leave—further entrenches this model as a cornerstone of financial strategy. ## Frequently asked ### How does Milan earn €10.8m from Tonali’s Tottenham transfer? AC Milan receives €10.8m via a 10% sell-on clause tied to Tonali’s future transfer profits. The clause activates only if Spurs later sell him for a profit, not from the initial €116m fee. ### Is Milan’s €10.8m a share of the full €116m Tottenham fee? No. Milan’s earnings come solely from the sell-on clause, not a direct cut of the headline fee. The clause is a separate mechanism that depends on Tonali’s future transfer profits. ### Why did Milan agree to a sell-on clause instead of a direct fee? Sell-on clauses allow selling clubs to earn additional revenue if the player’s value appreciates after leaving. It’s a low-risk way to monetize talent without bearing the full cost of a sale. ### Could Milan earn more from Tonali’s transfer later? Yes. If Spurs later sell Tonali for a higher fee, Milan’s 10% clause would trigger additional earnings. For example, a €150m sale would net Milan an extra €4.2m. ### Is Tonali’s €116m transfer the most expensive for an Italian player? Yes. Tonali’s move to Tottenham sets a new record, surpassing previous highs for Italian footballers in transfer fees. ### Have other Serie A clubs used similar sell-on clauses recently? Yes. Clubs like Juventus and Inter Milan have included sell-on clauses in deals for players like Federico Chiesa and Lautaro Martínez, though the exact percentages vary by contract. ## Sources & Citations - [How much will Milan earn from Tonali’s record-breaking Tottenham transfer?](https://football-italia.net/how-much-will-milan-earn-tonali-tottenham-move/) — Football Italia (2026-07-02) --- Cite: Milan’s €10.8m windfall from Tonali’s record Tottenham deal. Sportopod, 2026-07-02. https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/how-much-will-milan-earn-from-tonali-s-record-breaking-totte-1effa731