EPL: Newcastle reach agreement to sign Sandro Tonali from AC Milan
English club, Newcastle United FC has reached an agreement with Italian club, AC Milan to sign 23-year-old central midfielder Sandro Tonali.
Tonali won Serie A with Milan in 2022, their first for 11 years, and became one of their skippers. Before agreeing to move to England, the 23-year-old’s football dream was to play for AC Milan which his dad supports, and become one of the club’s legends like Paolo Maldini and Franco Baresi.‌
With a £60m deal in place, Tonali will now undergo medicals in Romania where Italy camped for the European Under-21 Championships before putting pen to paper on his contract.
Tonali, 23, operates as a deep-lying playmaker and if signed, will free up Bruno Guimaraes to assume more of a box-to-box role.
The 14-cap Italy international was confirmed as Newcastle manager, Eddie Howe’s new No 1 midfield target according to The Athletic.
Sandro Tonali will become first major signing of the summer for Newcastle as they aim to bring in another four new faces for manager Eddie Howe.
He joined AC Milan from Brescia initially on a season-long loan in 2020/21 before signing permanently the following campaign when he helped Milan win their first Serie A title in 11 years. He has made 130 appearances in total, scoring seven goals.
He was a substitute in the senior Italy side’s 2-1 Euro 2024 qualifier defeat by England in March, made 48 appearances for Milan in all competitions last season, and started both legs of their Champions League semi-final defeat by city rivals Inter.
It is understood that Newcastle also wants to sign a new right-sided central defender, a full-back, a wide forward, and a number 10. They are hoping the latter will be James Maddison, who is also wanted by Tottenham, and talks have already taken place with Leicester about a prospective deal.
Last season, Newcastle finished fourth in the Premier League securing the club’s first European campaign since reaching the Europa League quarter-finals in 2012/13 and first Champions League group stage in 30 years.
They also reached the League Cup final but were beaten by Manchester United at Wembley Stadium meaning the club’s 54-year wait for major silverware goes on.
