In news that will be unsurprising to Toon supporters, the latest claims emerged from Italy. Outlets on the continent have been desperate to unsettle Tonali since he moved to St James' Park in 2023.
Eddie Howe was forced to rubbish claims in December that the midfielder was unhappy on Tyneside and sought a return home. A turbulent Newcastle career resulted in Tonali being banned for 10 months by Italian authorities after breaching betting regulations.
Instead of shunning the midfielder - who cost £55million from AC Milan - the club and supporters rallied behind him in his hour of need. Tonali now feels obliged to repay Newcastle for their faith and opened up about being happy at the club last month.
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However, he appeared to leave the door open for a Milan return one day, comments that confused United fans. He told La Repubblica: “I have never spoken about it (a return) with my agents. “And I know, from experience, that if you don’t get to that point there is nothing concrete.
“And in any case, I am happy with myself here, I have found my line and there is no need to upset it again. I want to win for the Newcastle fans, soon we will have the first opportunity at Wembley.
“(The move has worked out) not just economically. I grew up and discovered a new country, a new football and a new language. I have no regrets. The idea of returning to Milan one day is there but it’s not the thought when I wake up in the morning.”
Calciomercato now report that Barcelona have shortlisted Tonali and Roberto Mancini’s son, Andrea Mancini, who works for the Catalan giants, has begun filing reports on the Toon ace. It is noted how he would cost significantly more than the £55million Newcastle paid less than two years ago.
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Tonali’s agent, Beppe Riso, dismissed suggestions his client will return to Serie A anytime soon. Once viewed as the zenith of European football in the 1990s, Italian clubs have fallen behind financially in recent years.
Clubs like Juventus have spiralled into trouble - with the Turin giants infamously banned from European competition in 2023-24. With Newcastle on the rise and competing in the Premier League, a switch to the motherland looks a million miles away
“Sandro is one of the best midfielders in the world,” Tonali’s agent claimed last month. “He now has a value that Italian clubs will find difficult to afford. I envision a career for him away from Serie A.”