Sandro Tonali’s representatives have reportedly made contact with Real Madrid over a summer move, with the Italian’s future at St James’ Park looking increasingly uncertain.
The 25 year old still has just over two years left on his Newcastle contract, but speculation has been swirling since January when a surprise deadline day switch to Arsenal was mooted. The Gunners remain interested, according to TEAMtalk, but it is Madrid who have now been directly alerted to his availability.
Manchester United and Manchester City are also monitoring the situation closely, with City increasingly viewed among rival clubs as the most likely destination should Tonali leave England.
But Spain is very much in play.
Real Madrid are said to be in the market for at least one new centre midfielder this summer, with Rodri, Enzo Fernandez and Alexis Mac Allister all linked in recent weeks. Tonali has now been added to that shortlist, and his representatives have made sure the Bernabeu hierarchy know the deal is there to be done.
Paris Saint Germain, Bayern Munich, Liverpool and Chelsea have also been made aware of the situation, with varying degrees of interest from each.
A return to Italy has been mooted in the past, but financial constraints make a deal for the likes of Inter, Juventus or his former club AC Milan “increasingly unlikely”. The money just isn’t there.
Newcastle, for their part, are digging their heels in.
Chief executive David Hopkinson made it clear this week that first team stars will only leave “on our terms”, particularly if an “Alexander Isak like scenario” plays out again. That is code for: you want our best players, you pay through the nose.
Tonali himself pledged his loyalty to the Magpies back in February when asked about the rumours. But loyalty has a habit of wavering when Champions League football isn’t on the table.
Newcastle currently sit 12th in the Premier League. Qualifying for Europe’s top table next season is looking like a long shot. And if they miss out, keeping hold of a player of Tonali’s quality becomes that much harder.
The numbers tell you why clubs are circling. Ten goals and ten assists in 104 appearances for Newcastle doesn’t scream “world beater”, but anyone who watches him regularly knows his value goes far beyond the stats sheet. He is the metronome. The bloke who makes everything tick.
If Newcastle do reluctantly agree to cash in, a replacement has already been identified.
Khephren Thuram of Juventus is understood to be top of Eddie Howe’s list, with the Frenchman seen as a like for like option who could slot straight into that midfield engine room.
But make no mistake, losing Tonali would hurt. He was the statement signing after the takeover. The £55m man who was supposed to signal a new era. And while Newcastle have come a long way since then, letting him walk to Real Madrid or Manchester City would feel like a step backwards.
The next few weeks will be telling. Madrid have been informed. The representatives have done their job. Now it’s over to the Spanish giants to decide whether they actually fancy him.
If they do, Newcastle have a proper fight on their hands.
