Newcastle United are now ‘close’ to signing AC Milan’s Serie A star Sandro Tonali in a deal that would equal the Premier League club’s current £60 million transfer record.
After Inter demanded an eye-watering £85 million for Nicolo Barella, Newcastle United wasted little time in turning their attention to another Milan-based Italy international.
Sandro Tonali is not quite as attack-minded as Barella. He scored two goals last season compared to Barella’s nine. He does, however, possess similar athleticism, industry and guile.
Tonali was often likened to Andrea Pirlo in his youth due to his pinpoint passing and his mop of dark brown hair. The player himself, however, models his game more on that of Gennaro Gattuso. Thus highlighting an aggressive, competitive streak that would suit a high-octane, hard-running Newcastle team well.
Newcastle United close in on Sandro Tonali deal
The Magpies are, according to The Athletic, ‘close’ to agreeing a £60 million deal with AC Milan. Newcastle failed with a £40 million bid earlier in the week but are now heading in the right direction after increasing their bid and holding ‘face to face negotiations’ with Tonali.
Tonali, capped 14 times by Italy, was part of the Rossoneri team which ended their decade-long wait for a Scudetto last year. He also shone as Milan reached the Champions League semi-finals in 2022/23, setting up 10 goals in all competitions.
And, as Italian reporter Carlo Pellegatti explains, there is real confusion over in Serie A about why Milan are cashing in on a 23-year-old who has a contract until the summer of 2027 at the San Siro.
“There is bewilderment,” Pellegatti tells Tuttomercatoweb. “The news (about Newcastle) is true.
“The problem is that we would like them to explain the situation to us. Milan are about to lose a flag-bearer, in a June where you have already lost (Zlatan) Ibrahimovic, (technical director Paulo) Maldini and then also the shock of (Silvio) Berlusconi (the former Milan president who recently passed away).
“It is an unexpected thing. Newcastle had already knocked on the door a month ago. Things have evolved (since then).”
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