Former Magpies boss Graeme Souness feels the Italian is in a goof place on Tyneside
Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali
Newcastle United's Sandro Tonali(Image: Newcastle United via Getty Images)
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Sandro Tonali should be in no rush to leave Newcastle United and has been encouraged to make the most of his time on Tyneside.
The Italian midfielder is often the subject of speculation over his future, although he has been clear he is happy and settled at the club.
The 25-year-old signed a contract extension during his 10-month ban for gambling-related activities, and with an option for a one-year extension, could remain in the North East until 2030 at least.
Tonali is a hugely important part of Eddie Howe's side, but has attracted admiring glances from some of the top sides around Europe.
But former Newcastle boss Graeme Souness - himself once a combative central midfielder - feels there are not many clubs who could tempt him away from Tyneside, and has backed him to stay at St James' Park in the near future.
“Sandro Tonali is a very good player, a workaholic who chips in with goals," Souness told ChronicleLive vias SkyBet.
"Where would he go if he was to leave Newcastle? Back to Italy – Milan, Inter, Naples? I think he is at a club that suits him and is loved there.
"I don’t see any urgency from his part to be leaving Newcastle.
“Where would you go to improve yourself from Newcastle? OK, you could go abroad to PSG, Bayern Munich, the two big ones in Spain – that’s four.
"In England you have Liverpool, Manchester United, Arsenal, and City – in total, around seven clubs that you would go to, to leave Newcastle, and are any interested in him? I’m not sure.”
Souness is well versed in the art of the midfield warrior, having starred for Spurs, Middlesbrough, Liverpool, Sampdoria and Rangers in an illustrious career which saw him win a huge array of silverware.
While he enjoyed success as a manager with Liverpool and Rangers, his time at Newcastle was less memorable.
He worked with some big names on Tyneside, not least United legend Alan Shearer, but when it comes to those who perhaps went under the radar, one name sprang to mind.
"I brought Scott Parker to Newcastle, and the crowd really didn’t take to him, which I was surprised about because Scott is one of them that you want to be in the trenches with him," he admitted.
"He wasn’t the most gifted, but he always had a go, always tried to do his best and a bit more.”