The former AC Milan star is aiming to focus on the task in hand as Newcastle enter a make or break period
Sandro Tonali
Newcastle United's Sandro Tonali(Image: Newcastle United via Getty Images)
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Sandro Tonali has played down talk that he will quit Newcastle United this summer - insisting he is only focused on success with the Magpies.
The Italy international has been linked with Manchester City and Manchester United amid an admission from Newcastle they will have to sell to buy this summer in order to attract marquee signings.
However, the club are comfortable with Tonali's transfer status given he is contracted until 2028 with a further year option on the table.
Tonali's agent has suggested in interviews in Italy that the plan was always to aim to play for a so-called bigger club than Newcastle at some stage.
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But in his latest interview, Tonali told Sky Sports: "In football if you play well you have to deal with the transfer rumours, but if you concentrate 100% on your game, and you’re happy, you don’t have to think about anything or speak about anything."
Social media has been flooded with stories and rumours of Tonali quitting Newcastle at the end of the season. And while Chronicle Live understands that Tonali has been told not to talk directly about transfers to journalists, he did say: "I don’t look at social media, I don’t like it. After my ban, I changed everything with social media, I just go to training and then go home and be with my family.
"My life is much better now."
Giuseppe Riso spoke again about his client's future two weeks ago. Despite Arsenal sources admitting Tonali is not a target for the Gunners, Man City and Man United remain linked with the midfielder.
Riso has entertained questions from Italian outlet Calcio & Finanza and has suggested that Newcastle was a stepping stone to a bigger club.
When asked about his move to Newcastle, Riso said: "The deal came about because a club like Newcastle with unlimited financial resources had decided to invest in Sandro. We considered the idea of having the player play in a higher-level league."
On a possible exit from Tyneside to potentially Arsenal or Manchester City, 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."
Since Riso's words though Italy's failure to qualify for the World Cup this summer have resulted in the prospect of Tonali's future being decided earlier than expected.
No longer can Tonali head to the US and see his transfer value inflate and instead Newcastle will want answers from his agent before the window opens for business.