Eddie Howe and David Hopkinson assuring supporters about Sandro Tonali no longer carries the same weight - we have seen this script before.
Alexander Isak sent a shockwave through the Saudi-backed project when he demanded to leave Newcastle United last summer. While the top brass were aware of his underlying intentions, the fans - who worshipped the ground the Swede walked on - had been caught off guard.
Almost a year on and there will not be any eyebrows raised should Sandro Tonali do the same. The stage has already been set.
After a dominant Champions League performance against Athletic Bilbao in November, the Italian stood in a huddle of reporters. Unprompted, he name-checked his turncoat teammate while refusing to commit his future to St James’ Park beyond the current campaign.
The Toon media team were sent into a frenzy. Within 24 hours, a PR salvage job was posted on the club website, with Tonali claiming he is happy at Newcastle.
Were his comments a mere mistranslation? Did the local press pack make a mountain out of a molehill? It is, after all, easy to get enthusiastically swept away in the eye of a transfer storm.
But those fears were confirmed not once - but twice - this week when Tonali’s agent, Beppe Riso, went rogue. His interview to Italian media should prepare fans for the worst.
"Newcastle are having a hard time letting go of Sandro and he wants to lead the club to the Champions League,” Riso told TuttoSport in his second public outburst of the week. “These transfer discussions will take place later. We’ll see how the season ends and then we’ll decide what to do.
“There’s no preference at the moment. It’s still early. What we’re saying today won’t apply tomorrow. Newcastle couldn’t let him go now, and there’s no point in moving, especially since Sandro is very attached to the club. We’ll evaluate and decide what to do in the summer.”
Read More
In recent days, Eddie Howe and new Toon CEO David Hopkinson have insisted Tonali is happy on Tyneside. But those assurances do not carry the same weight since the Isak saga unfolded - we have seen this script before.
This is not to suggest Tonali leaves. He could sleep in black-and-white bedding and have two magpies tattooed on his chest. However, even the most rose-tinted Newcastle supporter must admit that the situation, at present, looks ominous.
What cannot happen is for this situation to form a cloud over the upcoming run-in. Newcastle are fighting on three fronts and have a mammoth few months ahead.
If Tonali can rediscover his best form and help the Magpies bag a European spot, he should earn a better send-off than the sulking Swede of yesteryear. Tonali - who will fetch a hefty fee given his contract until 2030 - will certainly be easier to replace than he who must not be named.
Continue Reading