Newcastle’s fast-growing pursuit of Sandro Tonali says plenty for both sides

Toon mean business with tantalising Tonali push

• Tonali could be set to earn £6.8m per season, plus £1.7m in add-ons while Milan are interested in Sassuolo midfielder Davide Frattesi and Chelsea’s Ruben Loftus-Cheek among others
• Italy international is beloved by Milan faithful, at a time where tensions are rising as the club’s hierarchy deemed to favour financial gain rather than sporting objectives and long-term success
• Newcastle increased their offer to €70m (£60.1m) plus additional bonuses – Milan are said to be holding out for an €80m (£68.7m) fee, which would make Tonali the most expensive sale in the club’s history

The best transfer moves are often those which unfold rather quickly, under-the-radar, and out of left-field. Having been laughed off a £50m approach for Inter’s Nicolo Barella, the Tyneside club turned their attention across to the other side of Milan.

Despite recent success over the past few seasons, the Rossoneri’s financial issues have been well-documented and there’s a view among their European counterparts – especially abroad – no player is indispensable, given a tight wage structure.

You only have to look at how long and protracted the Rafael Leao contract extension proved, and that’s someone they herald as their best player – sadly sidelined through a muscular injury in the biggest fortnight of their season last month.

Milan’s passionate supporter base are growing restless right now, and that dynamic isn’t one borne from the players but instead the hierarchy at the top.

Club legend Paolo Maldini’s surprise departure from his position as sporting director a few weeks prior, a decision reportedly accelerated after the 55-year-old’s unhappiness was clear with their American owners, hasn’t eased this feeling.

Tonali was, and has consistently been, one of their best players since joining his boyhood club on an initial season-long loan from Brescia in September 2020.

Eddie Howe’s track record when it comes to big-money signings is spotty to say the least – just look at his Bournemouth acquisitions – but midfield was reportedly their summer priority to strengthen as challenges will intensify this autumn.

Having qualified for the Champions League and overachieved domestically, they can’t afford not to collectively strengthen as rivals elsewhere will do the same.

It’s a much harder job to perfect with less scope for error but fierce competition for places is healthy, not least given their contention for success across multiple fronts.

The 2023 Carabao Cup finalists benefited from playing just once a week through the business months of this past season, something that will quickly change with more competitions and a stacked fixture list to consider.

Bruno Guimaraes has been heralded as a transformative midfield signing since they spent £40m for his services from Lyon in January last year, and they’ll need to spend more but wisely too if they’re to retain their best players long-term.

There will inevitably be questions about how he settles into the system, but Tonali fits that mould in ways their strongest rivals will undoubtedly be envious of.

Reports claim Tonali’s agents were in London midweek trying to progress the deal, a fast-developing one with intricacies that could drag over the coming days.

After all, the Italy international is representing the U21s in Romania at present, and was one of few bright sparks (four key passes, two successful dribbles, one assist) as they suffered a 2-1 opening group game against France on Thursday evening.

He created a trio of key passes in both legs of their Champions League semi-final defeat by Inter and while that creativity proved futile, it wasn’t on him.

It became painfully obvious they lacked attacking firepower, something that needs to be addressed, rather than subtracted further for economic gain. We’ll wait and see.

Financial information via Telegraph, Football Italia