Given the relentless nature of the rumours linking Sandro Tonali with a move back to Serie A in the Italian media, it’s worth looking at how news of his Newcastle United contract extension has been received.
Indeed, on Wednesday, it emerged that Tonali had secretly signed a contract extension at Newcastle United during his ban from football.
Tonali is effectively under contract at Newcastle United until the summer of 2030, providing long-term stability for the club.
The midfielder could still be offered an improvement at some point but to have his future secured on a long-term basis is a major boost for the club.
Tonali has frequently been linked with a move to Juventus, so the reaction amongst those in the Italian media is notable.
Sandro Tonali during Newcastle United vs Union SG.
Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images
Tuttomercato have reacted to the news of Tonali’s contract extension.
They suggest there simply isn’t a transfer fee that exists right now that would tempt Newcastle into selling the former AC Milan star.
The outlet goes on to quote an “internal Newcastle source” they have spoken to, who admits that the club know he might want to return to Italy at some point in his career.
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“He’s a key player for us,” said the source.
“We know he might even want to return to Italy in the coming years. It certainly won’t be a topical issue in the short term.”
Why Newcastle United still cannot relax over Sandro Tonali
Newcastle have learned lessons from the Alexander Isak saga and will not want a repeat of that with Tonali.
Isak was disappointed he didn’t get a new contract in 2024, one that was supposedly promised by former co-director Amanda Staveley before she left the club.
Had Isak been rewarded with fresh terms to reflect his fine form, perhaps the situation this summer would not have played out so toxically.
Geordie Boot Boys understands that Tonali is one of Newcastle’s highest-paid players, but rewarding key stars is a moving beast, as the club discovered with Isak. Players who will no doubt attract interest from elsewhere need to be kept happy or the club risk their heads being turned.
There’s no suggestion that’s happening to Tonali but Newcastle have fallen victim to it before. History cannot be allowed to repeat itself.