Eddie Howe's press conference recapped
Eddie Howe has warned off AC Milan after intense speculation in Italy this week that his former side are planning a raid for his services in January.
The story - in the well read famous pink paper La Gazzetta dello Sport - was shot down by Tonali's agent within hours and has now been responded to by Howe. Tonali is contracted until 2028 and has just been supported by Newcastle through a 10-month FIFA ban for illegal betting.
Howe, speaking at his press conference today, said: "I've got no plans on losing Sandro. I laugh because that just seems out of the blue for me. Sandro is a vital part of what we're doing, our investment in him is long term. I've been really pleased with him personally - we've built up a strong relationship.
"He's improving in all aspects of the play, naturally through the games that he's playing. The ban was difficult because he's only training and he's not learning from the game."
Howe feels that the former Brescia midfielder will continue to get better as the weeks go on. He said: "The games are the biggest teacher I think, so I think now he's in a position where he's getting both. I think we're seeing an improvement in all aspects of his game."
Losing the £55million star does not even seem like an option for Howe who offered a downbeat assessment of the January window ahead. He said: "I keep saying the same thing about January, I wouldn't expect us to be in a position to be too active in the market.
"As we currently stand up, things can change. You know, if we trade players, of course that's different, but if we don't trade players, I would expect us to be quiet."
Howe's caution ahead of the winter trading period came as something of a surprise in a week in which Callum Wilson was ruled out for eight weeks. Howe said: "I don't think those things (injuries) affect our ability to trade. In previous seasons that would be the case because I think you would react to what the team's delivering or an injury situation, but I think now with the trading world as it is you're, you're much less reactive, it's what you can do, not what you want to do."
The expectation just a few weeks ago was that because Newcastle did not spend £70million on Marc Guehi in the summer window, that money would be set aside for new deals in January. But Howe has not said anything on the record to back that theory up.