One of Sandro Tonali’s closest confidants has revealed the Newcastle United ace could return to Italy in the coming years.
Marianna Mecacci, a high-profile figure at GR Sports, the agency that represents Tonali, has opened up about the midfielder’s time in England. Toon chiefs stumped up £55million to sign the 24-year-old in 2023.
However, Italian authorities slapped Tonali with a 10-month ban just 12 games into his Newcastle career for breaching betting regulations. This dealt a hammer blow to the Magpies as their Champions League and Premier League form dipped.
Tonali has since returned and is now loving life at the base of Newcastle’s midfield. Eddie Howe switched the former AC Milan star to a deep-lying midfielder, allowing Bruno Guimaraes to play further forward.
NewcastleWorld: Essential is our weekly newsletter, delivering the city’s best bits to you inbox - sign up here
His agent, Beppe Riso, insisted last month that Tonali was “far away” from joining a Serie A club. He told Fabrizio Romano: “He is one of the best midfielders in the world. He has a price Italian clubs will hardly be able to pay. I imagine a career for him far away from Serie A.”
Just one month later and another member of his entourage, Mecacci, has hinted at the direct a possible Serie A return. Italian media outlets have desperately linked Tonali with a move since he came back from his ban last August.
“It’s hard to say,” she told the Sportitalia. “He is an Italian football treasure. Seeing a man grow through difficulties is beautiful. “I started following him at Brescia, and that move that took him to England was extraordinary.
“I realise it caused some discontent. Tonali, a son of Milan with faith that exists and will always remain, was sold for a record fee. It was also a choice to try a new experience,” said Mecacci.
“As long as there is the opportunity in the Premier League, he will take it, but it’s impossible to think he won’t return to Italian football.”