Newcastle United are reportedly closing in on the signing of AC Milan midfielder Sandro Tonali.
Eddie Howe wants to sign two midfielders this summer after helping the Magpies secure Champions League football next term. Inter Milan’s Nicolo Barella and Leicester City playmaker James Maddison are two players Howe wants the club to pursue; however, it now appears Sandro Tonali has emerged as a new target.
According to The Athletic, Newcastle United are in the final stages of negotiations over a fee with AC Milan for Sandro Tonali. They made a bid worth €50m earlier this week but negotiations have progressed after face-to-face talks on Wednesday, and it looks like Newcastle are now set to pay around €70m to secure the player’s signature, the report adds.
Sandro Tonali, 23, among the highly-rated young midfielders in Italy, has been a consistent performer for AC Milan since arriving from Brescia in 2021. The Italy under-21 international enjoyed an impressive 2022-23 season, scoring two goals and providing ten assists in all competitions as AC Milan finished fourth and reached the Champions League semi-final, where they were beaten by traditional rivals Inter over two legs.
Sandro Tonali to Newcastle United—A terrific signing?
Newcastle United are looking to make some big moves in the summer transfer market after qualifying for the Champions League with a fourth-placed finish last term. And after being linked with moves for Barella and Maddison, it appears that Tonali is now on their radar after the midfielder played a crucial role in helping Milan reach the Champions League semi-final last month.
Tonali joined Milan from Brescia two years ago and has been a fine player at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza since, and his performances have caught the eye of a few big clubs. Milan doesn’t want the 23-year-old to leave, but considering he still has four years on his contract and is one of their most valuable assets, he will not be cheap.
The Italian is a technically gifted player who has predominantly operated as a holding midfielder for Milan, although he can also play as a box-to-box midfielder. Strong on the ball, creative, tenacious and gritty, Tonali would be a smashing addition to Newcastle’s midfield. His addition could potentially free up Bruno Guimaraes from the defensive shackles and allow him to operate further up the pitch.
Sandro Tonali is an expert set-piece taker and would be an upgrade on Sean Longstaff with his better defensive awareness and passing ability. The Italy under-23 international would also bring on board the experience of playing in Europe. Thus, it is understandable why Eddie Howe wants to see him at St James’ Park next term.
All in all, the signing of Tonali would see Newcastle make a statement of intent ahead of their return to the Champions League and is a move the club will get a huge confidence boost off of if they can get it over the line.
