This one just isn’t going to go away, unfortunately. More rumours around Sandro Tonali leaving Newcastle United have surfaced.
It’s starting to feel more and more inevitable that Newcastle are going to have to face the reality of losing one of its most coveted stars this summer.
We were already pretty much resigned to losing Tino Livramento at the end of the season, with Manchester City sniffing around for months now as the full-back stalls over a new deal.
But rumours around Sandro Tonali, while quickly rubbished in February, haven’t gone away. If anything, they only seem to be building up momentum, with claims and counter claims last week on a ‘gentleman’s agreement’ to leave.
As Manchester United look for someone to replace Brazilian midfielder Casemiro at the end of the season, Newcastle’s Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes are two names that keep appearing on journalists’ shortlists.
While the Bruno rumours have been brushed aside, the Sandro ones will not go away, and now Fabrizio Romano has added his take, claiming on his YouTube channel that Manchester United have been in touch with Tonali’s camp to remain informed on his situation.
Romano claims Arsenal are also keen, but warns that Serie A giants Juventus – and other Italian clubs – would not be able to afford the midfielder.
“One of the names very high on their shortlist is Sandro Tonali. Tonali has been excellent recently, scoring for Italy against Northern Ireland and performing very well for Newcastle United. Newcastle also expect potential movement around him this summer.
“It is important to note that Manchester United have already made contact with Tonali’s camp to be informed about his situation. There is still no agreement, no negotiation stage yet, but the interest is real and consistent.
“Tonali appreciates the idea of returning to a bigger European stage if all parties align, so this one will be worth keeping an eye on.
“There is also interest from Arsenal, confirmed, but again nothing advanced there either. For Italian clubs, including Juventus, the deal would be financially almost impossible.”
In a post on X, Romano also claims that Tonali would be ‘open’ to the move to Old Trafford.
It is worth noting, though, that Romano also came out and backed up claims that Guimaraes’ people had spoken with Manchester United days after those rumours had been proven to be nonsense, so a pinch of salt is required.
Although there is a growing concern that Tonali may fancy a move, should Newcastle fail to secure European football.
The talk of a ‘gentleman’s agreement’ to facilitate such a move is utter hogwash, but that doesn’t mean Tonali isn’t ambitious and fully committed to the current project at Newcastle.
Losing the Italian may be something we have to face up to in the summer.