Newcastle United CEO David Hopkinson has insisted the club will not have another Alexander Isak situation on their hands over the future of Sandro Tonali amid interest from Manchester United and Arsenal, despite needing to balance the books this summer.
Hopkinson: Tonali will only leave "on our terms"
The Magpies are braced for another summer of interest in their star players, with Tonali, Anthony Gordon, Bruno Guimaraes and Tino Livramento all expected to be chased by the Premier League's 'big six'.
Hopkinson has revealed a five per cent increase in turnover at St James' Park, recording their highest revenue ever for the year ending June 2025, and while he did admit the club may need to sell before they can make a big splash in the market this summer, those sales will not be forced upon them.
Most expensive signings in Premier League history after Isak (timeless)
"We haven't got an overall strategy with regard to players out, necessarily," he said when asked directly about Tonali's future.
"We think through what players might or might not want to do this summer. But if an Isak-like scenario presents itself again, any player under contract is going to leave on our terms and we're going to maximise the opportunity that might represent for the club.
"Going forward, our strategy is to buy well and sell well. Buying well does not necessarily mean spending the most money. It means working in the marketplace for the players that generate the most value for this club rather than the fee paid for them.
"So there are a multitude of things we need to employ, including developing our own, looking for opportunities in the marketplace and making sure we are maximising our opportunity within the available price we can produce."
Italy's Sandro Tonali celebrates scoring their first goal with Giacomo Raspadori Related
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Sandro Tonali's future is in doubt.
The most serious suitors for Tonali are Arsenal, who are concerned about Martin Odegaard's injury problems, and Manchester United, who are seeking a top level midfielder to replace Casemiro.
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The Italy international, whose agent has publicly stoked the fires around his future in recent weeks, admires Manchester United and would prefer to move to Old Trafford if the Red Devils secure Champions League football, Football FanCast sources understand.
Called a "generational player" in Italy long before developing into the polished, top level midfielder he is today, the 25 year-old sees an opportunity to cement himself in United's starting XI for years to come, sources close to the player have confirmed.
Italy's Sandro Tonali celebrates scoring their first goal with Giacomo Raspadori
As Hopkinson suggests however, a deal is possible, but Newcastle are set to demand a monster fee of at least £100m, with those on Tyneside believing Tonali belongs in the bracket of Declan Rice and Moises Caicedo.
The Red Devils are braced for the departure of Casemiro this summer, while Michael Carrick's arrival has shifted Bruno Fernandes further forward, meaning there is a space next to Kobbie Mainoo in the heart of midfield.
United are also interested in former Magpie Elliot Anderson.
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Manchester United are already circling in on their dream Casemiro replacement in midfield.