Sandro Tonali maintained an interesting stance about a move away from Newcastle United earlier this week and now Real Madrid are reportedly preparing a move worth over £40m.
It's an all too familiar feeling for Newcastle, who were forced to bid farewell to Alexander Isak for a Premier League record in the summer as they scrambled to find his replacement. Now, they potentially face the prospect of losing more key men amid reported interest from around English football in Sven Botman and, of course, Tonali.
It's the last thing that Eddie Howe needs in the middle of the Magpies' current domestic form. In the Champions League, his side have been close to perfect, but that couldn't be further from the case in the Premier League with just three wins in their opening 10 games.
Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe
The Newcastle boss admitted in his pre-match press conference ahead of Sunday's trip to Brentford that his side must rise up the ranks in the Premier League after a disappointing run.
"I'm sat here in this position and I'm looking at the Premier League table like everyone else is and looking at the narrative, and that's where it is coming from (league position).
"We are uncomfortable with that. We have got to be trying to climb that table as quickly as possible. So I share that to a degree. I am also on the inside so I am living every day and every moment.
"I also have an understanding of where the players are at and an understanding of our position in a sense of everything that has happened to lead us to this point."
Missing out on Champions League qualification would only make Newcastle's attempts to keep hold of key men even tougher, especially if Real Madrid do come calling for Tonali.
sandro-tonali-newcastle-united
Tonali shares exit stance as Real Madrid prepare move
According to reports in Spain, Real Madrid are now preparing a move to sign Tonali from Newcastle worth €50m (£44m) in 2026. Now, whilst the Magpies are unlikely to accept such a low offer for a player that cost them £55m, Madrid's attempts would certainly spark some interesting questions about the midfielder's future.
Despite recent reports revealing that the Italian has already signed a new deal which could keep him at St James' Park until 2029, Tonali refused to rule out an exit away from the club when questioned about his Newcastle future earlier this week.
Described as "excellent" by Howe, Tonali's admission will undoubtedly concern those on Tyneside, who saw Isak force his way out of the club in the summer. The last thing they need is another summer-long transfer saga.
PIF's "massive overpay" is quickly becoming Howe's new Almiron