Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali has emerged as a surprising target for La Liga giants Real Madrid, according to reports from Italian outlet Milan Live. The Spanish club is exploring options to fill the void left by the recently retired Toni Kroos, despite already having a wealth of talent in midfield, including Jude Bellingham, Federico Valverde, Aurelien Tchouameni, and Eduardo Camavinga.
While Real Madrid has been linked with Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz, Tonali's name has also surfaced as a potential addition. His move from AC Milan to Newcastle in the summer of 2023 marked a significant step in his career, but sources suggest that if Madrid comes calling, the Italy international might find it difficult to turn them down, given the club's esteemed reputation in world football.
Reports indicate that Newcastle would entertain offers around €50 million (£41.5 million) for Tonali. However, this figure seems low considering Newcastle invested £55 million (€66.1 million) to secure his services less than a year ago. Furthermore, the Italian outlet's interest stems from a 10% sell-on clause included in the deal that took Tonali to St. James' Park, meaning AC Milan could receive over €5 million if he were to depart.
Tonali’s future at Newcastle looks bright
While Newcastle may consider a sale for the right price, it is likely they will reject any bids at this stage. Although Tonali faced a temporary setback during a recent 10-month betting ban, he remains a highly regarded player with plenty of potential ahead of him. The Magpies view the former Brescia star as a cornerstone for their ambitions in both English and European football.
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The prospect of losing Tonali would not only frustrate Newcastle fans but could also tarnish the club’s leadership image. Selling key players would hinder their efforts to compete with the likes of Real Madrid, Manchester City, Arsenal, and Barcelona. Unless a substantial offer comes in, it seems improbable that Newcastle will part ways with one of their most promising talents anytime soon.
Stay tuned for the latest Newcastle news as this transfer saga develops!