The Magpies will be busy int the summer transfer window, but that could mean exits as well as signings
Sandro Tonali of Newcastle United
Sandro Tonali of Newcastle United
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Newcastle United will look to avoid a repeat of the Alexander Isak transfer saga by taking a firm stance on any potential exits this summer - even if that means selling big-name players.
That's according to former Magpies midfielder Jeff Hendrick, who feels Sandro Tonali could be one of the players sold, but only on the club's terms.
United have played down any talk that the Italian midfielder is looking to leave the club, but his agent Guiseppe Riso told Italian media that they will assess his situation in the summer.
That has led to fears that United could be dragged into another protracted transfer saga, following the difficult Alexander Isak negotiations last year. Newcastle eventually sold the Swede to Liverpool for £130m late in the window, but only after a desperate search for new strikers.
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Hendrick, who played 27 times in three seasons on Tyneside, feels United have learned their lessons, and questioned the timing of Riso's comments.
"It was strange to see Sandro Tonali’s agent saying that he’ll be staying now and they will rethink it in the summer," he told Fruity King.. "He said it after the window had shut so that was pointless really.
"I think it was his representatives who put it out, and I felt that it didn't need to come out. If you need to talk, have a chat with the manager or whoever's making the decisions behind the scenes.
"I actually look at Newcastle and I'm a big fan of their midfield and the players they have, whether it's Bruno, Joelinton, Tonali, or Lewis Miley. They have good players there, but I feel like they probably need a bit of a re-jig.
"That midfield has been really good, and people talk about how dominant it is in the Premier League, one of the best three in the middle.
"But I did have a thought that they might look to freshen it up and change it.
"They need players in defence and midfield. I think attacking, they're all right, but maybe they'll look to get another one in.
"I wouldn't be surprised if they can maximise how much they'll get for Sandro Tonali because Newcastle is a club who only want players who want to be there and are going to fight for the cause.
"I think Eddie has really built that group energy where it's them against everyone else, and it does work for them.
"So if players don't want to be there, they probably learned from Alexander Isak in the summer, they will look to move them on."
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