Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali’s agent has made headlines again after hinting that his client could be on the move at the end of the season.
Sandro Tonali has been repeatedly linked with a move from Newcastle.
Newcastle United officials are thought to be unhappy after Sandro Tonali’s agent made further public comments about his client’s future.
Tonali is tied to Newcastle until at least 2028, with the possibility of an improved contract, but his agent Giuseppe Riso added fuel to the fire with other comments. Despite Arsenal sources admitting Tonali is not on the Gunners’ radar, Manchester City and Manchester United remain linked with the midfielder.
In response to questions from Italian newspapers Calcio and Finanza, Riso suggested Newcastle was a stepping stone to a bigger club.
Asked about a move to Newcastle, Riso said: “This deal came about because a club with unlimited resources like Newcastle decided to invest in Sandro. We considered the idea of having him play at a higher level in the league.”
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Regarding the possibility of a move from Tyneside to Arsenal or Manchester City, Riso said: “That was exactly the goal from the moment he went to England, to try to make him a star player. I think he is one of the most highly valued Italian footballers in the world.”
Regarding Tonali’s chances of being sought after after the World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico, Riso said: “If he shines at the World Cup, will City or Arsenal come after him? I don’t know… but it’s very likely. Everyone is waiting for the World Cup. There will be a thousand different scenarios unfolding then, but it all starts after the World Cup.”
But Italy need to win a play-off against Northern Ireland before facing either Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina to qualify for next summer’s finals in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Sandro Tonali hopes to play a key role for Italy at this summer’s World Cup if he qualifies (Image: Joosep Martinson – UEFA, UEFA via Getty Images)
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe has maintained that any interest in the player will not affect him and that he will continue to do his best on Tyneside.
“As far as I’m concerned, we have players who are outstanding football players, outstanding people,” he said in a speech last month.
“That would surprise me too because he’s very happy here, he has a great relationship with me and his team-mates and he seems really, really happy inside.
“But our best players are always attracting attention from other clubs. That’s the reality of football. We want to keep the group together, we want to remain progressive and of course Sandro is part of that, trying to achieve his best level and play as well as he can to help the team.”
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