Lost amid claim and counter-claim, faux excitement and words like ‘rubbish’, ‘wild’ and ‘nonsense’, was the germ of a story whose first page was turned on deadline day: Sandro Tonali and his future at Newcastle United.
A report, from Germany, claimed that Arsenal had approached Newcastle. They had not. It was also said that the move was rejected. It would have been, had there been anything to reject. Cue mass denial. Nothing to see here.
Except, there most likely was. Daily Mail Sport was told of ‘an agent making mischief’. OK, but why? Agents don’t make mischief like a kid in a classroom. They make moves, like a dark force in a dressing-room. They test fault lines.
Later in the day, the agent most closely associated with Tonali, Giuseppe Riso, denied any contact with Arsenal. Sources on Tyneside believe him. There are, though, several who orbit around the Italian, some closer than others. ‘We never had any conversation with Arsenal,’ Riso told Sky Italia. ‘Newcastle were never going to let Tonali leave in January. There’s absolutely nothing to it.’
Cue mass denial. Nothing to see here. Except, there most likely was.
‘We will see around March about Sandro’s valuation, but only if Newcastle decide to open doors,’ added Riso.
A report, from Germany, claimed that Arsenal had approached Newcastle over Sandro Tonali. They had not. It was also said that the move was rejected. It would have been, had there been anything to reject. Cue mass denial. Nothing to see here. Except, there most likely was
Tonali has sporting ambition and is not alone in harbouring some doubt over the speed, direction and delivery of the project he signed up to at Newcastle
There you had it, a footnote comment perhaps, but it marked page one of a story to be told in the coming months. In truth, the prologue was written by Tonali himself in November. He had answered a question about his future honestly. But in doing so, he cast doubt upon it.
‘This is a tough question because in football you need to think year on year,’ he said. ‘I don’t want to say, “I want to stay here 10 years”, and in two, three, four, five years I will go. I want to think, just for me, year on year. Last summer was tough for us, for Alex (Isak), but this is football. If you have an option for your life, for another team, you need to think about everything. But now I’m happy here. I don’t think anything about another team.’
So, why would Tonali want to leave Newcastle? For the record, he is not unhappy. There is great appreciation for the support of Eddie Howe and the club during a 10-month betting ban served within the first year of his arrival in 2022. He appreciates, too, his improvement made as a player. Relationships with staff, team-mates and supporters are strong.
Unlike Isak, who went on strike to force his move to Liverpool last summer, there is no resentment over perceived broken promises. But, like Isak, there is sporting ambition. Tonali, it is said, is not alone in harbouring some doubt over the speed, direction and delivery of the project he signed up to at a Saudi-owned club.
Profit and Sustainability rules are a constraint beyond the club’s control, to a degree. A ruinous summer spent without a chief executive or sporting director was not. Players aren’t stupid. It did not signal competent or considerate stewardship.
Unlike with Alexander Isak, who went on strike to force his move to Liverpool last summer, there is no resentment over perceived broken promises with Tonali
Tonali has a contract with Eddie Howe’s Newcastle until 2030 which puts the club in a strong position
There has been reassurance since with the arrival of David Hopkinson and Ross Wilson in those roles, and the latter has developed a good understanding with Tonali’s camp, the relevant one, at least. No one inside or around Newcastle is expecting a repeat of the toxicity and trauma of the Isak saga, not least because of Tonali’s eternal gratitude for the care during his suspension.
Does that mean an offer won’t be brought to Newcastle’s door? Well, no. Failure to make the Champions League this season will sharpen interest elsewhere. By extension, Tonali may feel, at 26 years old, that the time is right for a new chapter. He is a Champions League player of the highest calibre, a gladiatorial midfielder of power and poise.
But that means two things – it is a very small pool of clubs who could give him the platform he desires and deserves, and an even smaller pool who could afford to take him there. He is, in effect, contracted to Newcastle until 2030. During his ban, the club extended to 2029 and added a further one-year option in their favour. He is well paid. It all leaves Newcastle holding a very strong hand.
But, as Riso said, the situation – and Newcastle’s valuation – will be revisited in March. There will be a price, too. No player is priceless – see Isak. Insiders at St James’ Park accept that, in a PSR world, for a club to move up and move on, some players have to move out, even if reluctantly. If Tonali expresses a want to go and a package is presented that satisfies fee, wages and agent demands, then it will not be dismissed out of hand. The days of planting ‘Not For Sale’ signs no longer exist because of the need to navigate financial restrictions.
Crucially, though, Newcastle are better placed to deal with such an eventuality. I was embedded in the Isak drama last summer, and never was there not a sense of chaos and confusion, of damage being inflicted on Howe, his players and their preparations. The legacy of that has them in 10th position in the Premier League.
Tonali joined Newcastle for £52million from AC Milan. At his best, he is worth close to double that
For now, says Howe after speaking to Tonali on Monday, the player is committed to reversing Newcastle’s 2-0 deficit in the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final at Manchester City on Wednesday
‘In the summer, we didn’t have a sporting director, which massively impacted our way of working in terms of dealing with agents and dealing with that situation,’ said Howe on Tuesday when pressed about echoes of Tonali and Isak. ’We were in a more vulnerable position than we are now. Ross has filled that position and is showing really good leadership, dealing with transfers and all the things that entails. We’re in a stronger position now to navigate those waters in a much calmer, clearer way.’
Arsenal? Manchester City? Liverpool? Barcelona? Real Madrid? Paris Saint-Germain? There you have that shallow pond of potential suitors. As one source said: ‘For there to be a sale, there needs to be a buyer.’ Tonali joined Newcastle for £52million from AC Milan. At his best, he is worth close to double that, especially given his watertight contract.
For now, says Howe after speaking to Tonali on Monday, the player is committed to reversing Newcastle’s 2-0 deficit in the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final at Manchester City on Wednesday night. On the pitch, he is capable of bending such narratives. He was central to the romance of last season’s victory in the same competition.
But, off it, the pages are starting to turn on a less triumphant tale. There is no inevitable ending, but the not knowing makes this story one of intrigue. There is, most likely, something to see.
