The Italian has been linked with several clubs this summer but Newcastle
Sandro Tonali of Newcastle United arrives at St James' Park
Newcastle United's Sandro Tonali is a man in demand
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Real Madrid are the latest big name in European football to be linked with a move for Newcastle United's Sandro Tonali, as interest in the Italian midfielder grows.
The Magpies would love to keep one or their star players on Tyneside, but will be realistic over what missing out on Champions League football means for certain players in their squad.
Tonali has always insisted he is happy on Tyneside, and indeed has a close bond with the club after they stood by him following his 10-month ban for gambling-related activities.
But with Madrid, Arsenal and Manchester United all credited with interest, specualtion is only going to ramp up over the summer, particularly if Newcastle don't end the season strongly to grab a European spot.
Here's the latest on his future, when Newcastle stand and where his future may lie.
Newcastle United stance
United CEO David Hopkinson did not flinch from conceding that some big-name stars may have to be sold this summer in order to help fund more investment in the first-team. Naturally he didn't say which players, but there's no doubt that Newcastle would receive a hefty transfer sum for their No 8.
The bottom line is that Tonali is under contract under 2029 and had the option of a further year extension, but United would not want another damaging transfer saga to carry on all summer.
Of course, the club don't want to lose players of his calibre, and despite speculation from outside St James' Park, head coach Eddie Howe insists his star man is happy and focused on the job at Newcastle.
"The person that matters the most is Sandro," Howe said last month. "All I've ever seen from him is someone who is totally committed.
"Very selfless at times, he's here for the team, not for himself. Forget the noise around him, he's just fully committed."
That doesn't mean that both the club and player would listen should a suitable offer arrive, but talk of him agitating for a move or losing focus before the end of the season can be put to bed.
How much could they demand for his services? Estimates have varied from £90m upwards, but as Hopkinson said this week, Newcastle would only sell on their terms.
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Premier League interest
Ideally, Newcastle would not want to sell to a Premier League rival, but the reality is not many outside the English top flight could afford what United will demand for him.
Arsenal were said to be very keen in the January transfer window, but their interest is said to have dipped with other more affordable targets identified. Manchester United have since been linked, with Tonali seen as the ideal man to anchor their midfield. It looks like they will be able to offer Champions League football next term, but with their long-term manager situation uncertain, it would be a gamble.
One to watch could be Manchester City, with Rodri linked with a return to Spain. Tonali could be a ready-made replacement for the influential midfielder, although again, speculation over Pep Guardiola's future remains rife.
Real Madrid factor
Which brings us to Real Madrid. The Spanish giants have been linked with Rodri and Tonali as they look to make the signings which can elevate them back above Barcelona in La Liga.
They can undoubtedly afford to make an offer United would consider, and few players could turn down the chance to play at the Bernabeu alongside Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham.
Madrid are said to have scouted Tonali in recent weeks and could decide the 25-year-old is a better option that Rodri, who will turn 30 in June.
However, they are also keen on Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez, who has made it clear he would be open to a switch to Spain - earning himself a two-match suspension by the Stamford Bridge club in the process.
Forget Serie A
It seemed every time that Tonali returned to his homeland for international duty, stories about a Serie A comeback would surface. While he's never hidden the fact he would like to play in Italy again before his career ends, that time is not now.
In truth, there are few clubs who could afford to sign him, nor able to offer him the chance of European success that Newcastle currenrtly can't. Thankfully, that talks has died off now, but only at the expense of much more significant transfer rumours.
Sandro Tonali reacts as Italy lose to Bosnia & Herzegovina on penalties
Sandro Tonali reacts as Italy lost to Bosnia & Herzegovina on penalties
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World Cup pros and cons
On one hand, United fans have been spared the dilemma of seeing Tonali perform on the world stage after Italy's shock penalty shoot-out defeat to Bosnia & Herzegovina meant a third successive World Cup without the Azzuri.
On the other, there is little to hold up any deal should a club decide they want to make Tonali their No 1 transfer target when the season ends. Big decisions are usually put on hold until after the tournament, but this will not apply in his case.
Newcastle were certainly hope that Italy's misfortune only serves to help him rest and recover from a demanding season and return refreshed and raring to go for United when pre-season starts.
What his agent has said
The speculation began not long after the transfer window closed, when his agent Giuseppe Riso spoke about assessing his future in the summer. More recently, he moved to play down claims of any talks with Arsenal, while he comments that the World Cup would put him the shop window have backfired.
“We never had any conversation with Arsenal,” Riso told Sky in February. “Newcastle were never gonna let Tonali leave in January. There’s absolutely nothing into it. We didn’t even talk about it.
“It’s not even being discussed now. We will see around March about Sandro’s valuation but only if Newcastle decide to open doors. He’s completely focused on Newcastle season now, it’s nonsense topic."