Sandro Tonali
Sandro Tonali's future remains a constant source of speculation in the Italian media despite the player and his agent insisting he is happy at Newcastle United.
The Italian midfielder has been linked with a move back to Serie A - and in particular to Juventus. The 25-year-old is two years into a five-year contract with Newcastle after joining from AC Milan in 2023.
Tonali's form has been one of the main reasons behind Newcastle's surge up the Premier League table. He has slotted into the No 6 role with ease, dovetailing alongside captain Bruno Guimareas and Joelinton to create one of the most powerful and feared midfields in the Premier League.
His form, however, has meant links with other clubs. Italian media have claimed Juve are interested in the playmaker, while reports in Spain suggest Real Madrid and Barcelona are also monitoring the situation.
Regardless, Tonali's agent Beppe Riso has said that the player won't be returning to Serie A as no Italian club would be able to afford him. Riso also said that his client was happy on Tyneside.
He said: "Sandro is one of the best midfielders in the world. He now has a value that Italian clubs will find difficult to afford. I envision a career for him away from Serie A."
That is a claim that has been backed up in the Italian media in recent weeks, with a U-turn now indicating they realise that Juve - and any other Serie A side - would be priced out of a move for the midfielder. With a potential transfer fee of around £100million for a player who has doubled his value since joining from AC Milan for £55m, and the salary that Tonali is on in England, a deal on a four or five-year would come at a cost that they couldn't afford.
Italian media outfit Tuttomercato claims a deal for Tonali, considering his wages and contract situation, would cost around €150m (£128m) - and even if Juventus tried throw Douglas Luiz into the mix, it would still be too pricey.
They claim: "Sandro Tonali to Juventus? It's certainly not a simple operation. Because between the transfer fee and salary, considering a four-year contract, we are around 150 million. Even by bringing in Douglas Luiz the situation does not improve. So, unless Tonali repeatedly asks to leave, his return to Italy seems really complicated.
"It seems really difficult that Tonali could choose something other than Newcastle, at least next season. Because, in addition to a monstrous valuation, he has a salary of 8 million plus bonuses that is difficult for any Italian club to match, perhaps even impossible."