Liverpool completing a move for Sandro Tonali this summer looked very unlikely after previous reports this month.
The Reds potentially having interest in Tonali has been mooted for a while now, but it was suggested last week that the Newcastle United midfielder would prefer a return to the Serie A in the summer transfer window.
This would have, of course, ended any real chance Liverpool had of signing the Italian. But Fabrizio Romano has now come out to play down those links, suggesting a move is not happening.
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Sandro Tonali won’t return to Serie A in 2026
Speaking on his YouTube channel this week, the journalist said Tonali returning to the Serie A is considered ‘something absolutely impossible’ due to the fee Newcastle would demand for the player.
Crucially, Romano went on to add that the midfielder would like to remain in the Premier League.
He said: “My understanding is that Sandro Tonali back to Serie A is something that could happen maybe in the next years, maybe in two, three, four, five years, I don’t know. But for this summer, summer 2026 is considered as something absolutely impossible. Why impossible? Because Newcastle would ask for big money and it’s very difficult for Italian clubs to pay I don’t know 90, 100, 110 million euros for a midfielder.
“That would be really complicated. Tonali is a special player but for Italian clubs, financially, that would be almost impossible.
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“And also, my understanding is that Sandro Tonali would like to continue in Premier League. Sandro Tonali is happy at the highest level possible in terms of league, and Sandro Tonali would be happy to continue in Premier League.”
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Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes watching on during the Reds' Premier League match against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge (Credit: Getty Images/Robin Jones).
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Tonali moved to St James’ Park in 2023, signing for a reported transfer fee of £55m.
As Romano suggested, that price could be much higher now, with the Magpies potentially asking for close to 90-110m euros.
It remains to be seen if Liverpool can afford such a deal, given they are expected to sign a Mohamed Salah replacement this summer as well.
But Steven Gerrard wants a new midfielder at Anfield, and Tonali could be the perfect defensive-minded option to partner Ryan Gravenberch.
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