Sandro Tonali may have extended his stay with Newcastle United, but this is not necessarily the end of his contract situation.
In recent months, there has been speculation regarding the need for Newcastle United to extend Sandro Tonali’s contract. Little did everyone know they had already done it.
Tonali signed a contract extension during his suspension, adding an extra year onto the deal he signed when he joined the club in 2023. The 25-year-old now has a Newcastle United contract until 2029, with the option of an additional 12 months.
The extension protects Newcastle United’s investment for longer, but there is still a problem at play that the Magpies need to address.
Sandro Tonali arrives at St James' Park for Newcastle United's Champions League game against Benfica.
Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images
Sandro Tonali’s wages are still an issue for Newcastle United
That is according to Daily Mail journalist Craig Hope, who has addressed Tonali’s contract extension on his YouTube channel.
“It’s not a new deal,” he said.
“This isn’t Sandro Tonali coming out this week with the with the scarf and shaking hands with Ross Wilson and Eddie Howe on the on the little patio there at the training ground.
“This is a historic contract extension. So to an extent the issue still remains of Sandro Tonali’s wage and there are massive parallels with the Alexander Isak situation.
“The issue still remains of Tonali perhaps being deserving of more money given his status as one of the best midfielders in the Premier League, Europe, the world. I would go that far.”
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On the Italy international’s salary, Hope added: “We believe he is among the very top earners on around £150,000-a-week.”
As Hope says, there are parallels to the Alexander Isak situation. The club talked him up as the best striker in the world, but were not paying him as such.
Before it emerged that he wanted to leave the club, Geordie Boot Boys revealed that Isak had wanted £300,000-a-week to remain at St James’ Park. That figure was obviously beyond the Magpies, who ultimately sold him to Liverpool for £125million.
Right now, Tonali is one of the best midfielders in the Premier League. Is he paid as such? Well, his wages are similar to what Bruno Guimaraes earns at Newcastle United, and he is also one of the best midfielders in the Premier League.
However, it is well known that Newcastle do not pay as much money out compared to the clubs they are trying to compete with. That is a major problem for the Magpies moving forwards as they aim to establish themselves among the elite.
Eddie Howe on Sandro Tonali's contract:
"A lot happened around the time he was banned; a lot of discussions were had. Sandro has felt the love with everyone connected with the football club. He felt that love and support and needed it at the time. He has been brilliant for us.… pic.twitter.com/jVfVUHjdsr
— Newcastle United (@NUFC) October 24, 2025
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Eddie Howe hands Sandro Tonali contract situation over to Ross Wilson
During his pre-match press conference ahead of Newcastle United vs Fulham, Eddie Howe was asked if the club would still be pursuing a further contract extension for Tonali despite news of the deal that was signed while he was suspended.
For Howe, that matter rests with Newcastle United sporting director Ross Wilson.
“That will be one for Ross Wilson, the new sporting director,” he said.
“All new contracts will be looked at by him. Obviously I will have a discussion with him on all of those things, but we haven’t talked at length about that.”