Newcastle: Sandro Tonali’s agent says midfielder’s future will be decided in the summer
Sandro Tonali's agent has cast doubt on his Newcastle future
Sandro Tonali’s agent has claimed the Newcastle midfielder will decide his future at the end of the season.
Tonali was linked earlier this week with a deadline day switch to Arsenal, although Newcastle were quick to insist there had been no club-to-club contact.
The Italy international, who moved to the Tyneside club from AC Milan in July 2023 and served a 10-month ban later that year for illegal betting activity, has a contract that runs until 2029.
His agent Giuseppe Riso hinted that Tonali is “very attached” to Newcastle but said a decision will be made in the summer.
Riso told Tuttosport: “Newcastle are having a hard time letting go of Sandro, and he wants to lead the club to the Champions League. These transfer discussions will take place later. We’ll see how the season ends and then we’ll decide what to do.”
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Tonali open to anything despite Arsenal and Juventus links
Tonali has also been linked with Juventus but Riso said all options are on the table.
He added: “There’s no preference at the moment. It’s still early. What we’re saying today won’t apply tomorrow. Newcastle couldn’t let him go now, and there’s no point in moving, especially since Sandro is very attached to the club.
“We’ll evaluate and decide what to do in the summer.”
Newcastle say Tonali is happy on Tyneside
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe is confident Tonali will stay. The 25-year-old has made 24 appearances for Newcastle in the Premier League this season, contributing one assist.
Asked about Arsenal’s reported interest earlier this week, Howe said: “Certainly there was no intention from our side to lose Sandro at all. I think he’s such an integral player to what we are doing. I think he is very happy here. He loves playing for Newcastle and loves representing the city.
“As far as I am aware we have got a player who is an outstanding footballer and an outstanding person. He is very happy here, he has got a great relationship with me and his team-mates.
“He seems really happy within himself, so that would surprise me, but he and our best players are always going to be attracting glances from other clubs, that’s just the reality of football.
“We want to keep the group together, we want to keep being progressive and, of course, Sandro plays a part in that, trying to hit his best levels and play as well as he can to help the team.
“So all encompassed, I don’t see an issue but I am not in control of everything.”
Newcastle are 11th in the Premier League table and host Brentford tomorrow.