Sandro Tonali has been linked with a move away from Newcastle United since January.
After Anthony Gordon left to join Barcelona last week for £69million, talk has swiftly turned to whether or not Tonali will remain at St James’ Park.
Tonali’s agent, Giuseppe Riso, has engaged in several interviews in recent months, fuelling speculation over the midfielder’s future. The 26-year-old was linked with a deadline day move to Arsenal in January, while Manchester United and Manchester City have been named as potential suitors.
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Alan Shearer discusses Sandro Tonali’s future at Newcastle United
Both Manchester clubs are interested in former Newcastle academy graduate Elliot Anderson and Shearer reckons that the club that misses out could move for Tonali.
Shearer wants Tonali to stay on Tyneside but is willing to sell the player if he wants to go. But using Gordon and Anderson’s price tags as an example, the Magpies’ all-time record goalscorer believes the Italian would ‘cost an awful lot of money’.
Tonali is effectively under contract at Newcastle until 2030 (2029 with an option of a further year) after signing an extension as a show of loyalty during his 10-month betting ban.
“I guess it all depends on whether Man United get Elliot Anderson in. I guess Elliot Anderson would be their number one target, both City and Man United, that wouldn't be a surprise to me,” Shearer told Betfair.
“Very much like the Gordon situation, if he makes it clear that he wants to leave then you have to say, ‘okay, we accept that, we get the best possible price for you and move on’.
“I would like to see him stay at Newcastle, because I think there's a real talent there, and I think he links really well with Bruno, but I don't know his or the club's situation.
“It might work for the club selling him. It might, depending on what their recruitment is, if they've got someone to come in who they believe in 12 or 18 months will be better, and they can go again. So, it might be an advantage, but I don't know. I mean, as I said, if it were my choice, I would keep him at Newcastle for another year.
“He is on a long-term contract, and we did look after him and protect him when he got done with all those charges, but it might be best for both parties.
“Again, I don't know the situation in terms of the finances, but if they're getting a huge figure like £90m then it might be best that it works for Newcastle. If Newcastle are selling Gordon for £70m and Anderson's going for over £100m, then, it would take an awful amount of money to get him out of Newcastle.
“Very much like Isak, and very much like Gordon, if he wants to go, then fine, no problem. You have to do what's best for the club, get the money in, and move on.”
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