Sandro Tonali will exit Newcastle United this summer - if the club do not meet this one condition.
The Gazette can exclusively reveal the Magpies’ midfielder, and his representatives, believe they have a ‘gentleman’s agreement’ in place with the club. They understand that should Newcastle fail to qualify for Europe next season, they currently sit 12th in the division, the club will consider offers for the player, who, until recently, was seen by many as untouchable.
Without Champions League football, now near impossible, Europa League or Conference League - that last one might not even be enough to satisfy the player - Tonali expects to leave Tyneside. On the flip side, should Eddie Howe’s men end the campaign strongly, there’s every chance he stays.
Tonali has been linked with a move to Manchester United and Arsenal in recent months.
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Sandro Tonali casts doubt on NUFC future - quotes hidden in plain sight
Tonali has endured an up and down time on Tyneside. His much-documented off-field struggles and ban preceded a remarkable return to form in the No.6 role, a campaign which was crowned with Champions League qualification and the Carabao Cup.
This season, however, has been more of a struggle, with the player failing to hit the heights of the last campaign, despite a bright start. Many point his downfall to an ill-advised, if honest assessment of his future in November, following the Champions League win over Bilbao.
Back then, he said: “In football you need to think year on year. I don’t want to say I want to stay here 10 years and in two years, three years, four years, five years I will go.
“I want to think, just for me, year on year. This is football. The last summer was tough for us, for Alex (Isak), but this is football.
“If you have an option for your life, for another team you need to think about everything. I don’t want to say ‘Yes, I want to stay here 10 years’ but now I’m happy here. I don’t think anything about another team.”
That interview changed the narrative on Tonali, and as his performances dipped, so too did the feeling among fans in relation to the player, who was openly discussing the prospect of a future elsewhere. Tonali missed the Tyne-Wear derby through injury, but has linked up with Italy for international commitments.
Sandro Tonali’s ‘gentleman’s agreement’ with Newcastle United
Tonali and his representatives understand the Magpies will be open to letting him leave this summer, if the next seven games does not muster Europe.
Newcastle United will not, we’re told, repeat the mistakes of last summer. They are adamant hanging on to Alexander Isak, a decision privately now viewed as regrettable, will not play out again with any player, whether than be Tonali or someone else. That strengthens the belief from the player’s side the club will stick to their word.
There is a feeling at Newcastle that should a player make it clear they want to leave, they will be allowed to explore a move, but only if their price to the club is met. It’s expected that fee will be considerable, especially for Italian international Tonali.
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