**Sandro Tonali is a Newcastle United player whose future has been the subject of intense debate since the turn of the year.**
In fairness, the Italian media would have you believe that Tonali's future has been in question since the day he arrived on Tyneside, but ever since rumours of a deadline day bid from Arsenal surfaced in February, there have been a lot of reports suggesting that the Italy midfielder would be on the move in the summer.
Manchester United and Arsenal have been heavily touted as potential destinations for the 26-year-old, and the rumours have only been fueled further by [Tonali's agent speaking to the media and leaving the door open for a move.](https://nufcblog.co.uk/2026/03/15/sandro-tonalis-agent-speaks-out-italian-media-release-quotes-on-newcastle-future)
Talk died down considerably as the season went on, but now that the transfer window is approaching, it's picking up again, although there is a feeling that the Premier League duo's interest has cooled.
Alan Shearer would love Sandro Tonali to stay at Newcastle
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Alan Shearer has now had his say on what he thinks will happen with the Italy international. Telling Betfair (via the [Shields Gazette](https://www.shieldsgazette.com/sport/football/newcastle-united/alan-shearer-newcastle-united-sandro-tonali-manchester-united-manchester-city-8650171)) that if he were up to him, he'd try to hang on to him.
> “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.
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> “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’.
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> “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 (Guimaraes), but I don't know his or the club's situation.
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> “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.
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> “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.
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> “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.
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> “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.”
Anyone who wants to go should go
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Tonali has never hinted that he wants out of Newcastle; all of that noise has come from his agent, who may be speaking on his own behalf in the search for another payday.
We do agree with Shearer, though. If he wants to go, then we should let him. There has been far too much sentimentality at the club of late, and we want to hang on to players against their will, but that doesn't end up working out for anyone.
Bruno Guimaraes can essentially walk on water around Newcastle, but if he decided it was time to move on, we should make it happen ASAP. We only want players who want to be here.
Just to reiterate, we don't think that is the case with Tonali, and (at least some of us at the Blog) are more than happy for Tonali to stay and continue that partnership with Bruno. We'll just have to wait and see what happens.