Yahoo News Newcastle United stance on Sandro Tonali clear after AC Milan told to forget cheeky offers
Newcastle United sources have played down suggestions of any potential swap deal involving Sandro Tonali and Fikayo Tomori.
The banned Italian international is due back from suspension in time for the third game of the season and could be involved in behind closed doors practice matches at Benton as he nears the conclusion of his time on the sidelines. Newcastle have supported Tonali right through his gambling addiction and believes the £55million man can emerge on the other side stronger for his experiences.
Newcastle are building up to Tonali's Premier League return at the end of August which coincides with the home clash against Tottenham Hotspur. Tonali has not played since the Champions League clash against Borussia Dortmund after serving a 10 month FIFA ban.
READ MORE: Newcastle United insiders say Sandro Tonali determined to repay club after betting ban
Reports in Calcio Mercato in his home country have been put to AC Milan by Chronicle Live with the Serie A club, who denied all knowledge of Tonali's problems, stating they had nothing to say about the links of the prospect of a Tonali return. What is clear is that Milan have always left the door ajar for Tonali at the San Siro with the player himself saying in September 2023 just before the betting affair went public: "I cannot disguise my passion for Milan."
Toon fans reacted angrily to suggestions Milan had an interest in Tonali again and took to social media to tell the Serie A giants to back off the fan favourite. Supporters have chanted Tonali's name throughout his ban with assistant boss Jason Tindall telling Chronicle Live in February: "To see the fans showing him that love during a really difficult time for him is really important. I'm sure he takes a lot of confidence and love from that."
Newcastle won't even entertain any cut-price attempts to lure last summer's big money buy back and Milan will have to do it the expensive way if they have any genuine desire to take him back any time soon. Eddie Howe is simply keen to get Tonali settled down in pre-season training and get him focused on the task ahead in the 2024/25 season.
United know that this isn't the time to be selling a player that spent 10 months on the sidelines with his value dropping by 50% since last summer according to Transfermarkt. The dream for Newcastle fans is to see Tonali line up alongside Joelinton and Bruno Guimaraes in the Premier League next season.
And while there is an acceptance behind the scenes that Newcastle do have to sell some senior stars this summer in order to provide a healthy set of figures for the annual PSR checks that take place on June 30, those sales could come from elsewhere in the squad.
