Sandro Tonali won't be able to walk away easily from Newcastle United this summer
Sandro Tonali during an Italy game
Sandro Tonali has been linked with a move away from Newcastle(Image: Mattia Ozbot - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
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Newcastle United chiefs insist they are in firm control of Sandro Tonali's future ahead of the summer transfer window.
Fresh talk of Manchester United preparing a summer bid has emerged since the international break commenced, but top brass at St James' Park are unflustered by suggestions Tonali will leave at the end of the season.
Tonali remains contracted until 2028, with a further year option on his current deal, and Newcastle can demand whatever fee they please for the midfielder. Tonali has no release clauses or agreements in his current arrangement with the club.
United officials tonight have made it clear that any suggestion of an agreement to leave at the end of the season, should Newcastle fail to qualify for Europe, is "Totally untrue".
What has been an issue is that Tonali's agent, Giuseppe Riso, has spoken openly about his client's prospects of departing the Magpies.
Riso told Italian media earlier this month, when asked about a move to either Man City and Arsenal, Riso said: “Exactly, that was the goal from the moment he went to England – to try to make him a star player. I think he’s the Italian footballer with one of the highest values in the world.
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"If he shines at the World Cup, will City or Arsenal be hot on his heels? I don’t know, but it’s very likely. Everyone is waiting for the World Cup; then a thousand scenarios will unfold, but it all kicks off after the World Cup."
Howe shot that rumour down last week in Barcelona and told Chronicle Live: "The person that matters the most is Sandro. All I've ever seen from him is someone who is totally committed.
"Very selfless at times, he's here for the team, not for himself. Forget the noise around him, he's just fully committed."
Howe is growing increasingly frustrated with constant reports of his star players leaving and labelled suggestions of Bruno Guimaraes being in "advanced talks" with Man United last week as "disrespectful."
It's understood that Howe has taken a dim view of reports linking Tonali wth the Red Devils today. We understand that Newcastle have had no approaches for any of their players ahead of the summer market and there are no arrangements in place for any player to leave if the Magpies don't qualify for Europe.
Tonali stated earlier this month that he would like to be considered for Newcastle's leadership group at Benton next season. When asked if he'd like to take the spot left behind by Jamaal Lascelles ahead of next term, Tonali told beIN SPORTS "Yeah, of course. We are a bit different because Jamaal was a great leader, he spoke every week, every game to our team, to every player.
"He was great with everybody, and alone in the private meetings and really was a bit different to me.
"It would be a little bit tough because it's not my first language, but I will try. I try to do my best. I try to help every player in the pitch. And I think this is should be for every player, not just for me."
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