Newcastle United are preparing to resist growing interest in Italy international Sandro Tonali ahead of the summer transfer window.
The midfielder has attracted attention from several Premier League clubs following a difficult season for Newcastle, who are expected to miss out on European football, and might plot a way out of Tyneside as soon as this summer.
“Newcastle still have no plans to let him leave as it stands,” Football Insider’s Pete O’Rourke reported on May 16. “It will be hard to keep hold
of him, but Newcastle will do everything they can to keep hold of him by probably putting a huge price tag on his head.”
That valuation is expected to act as a deterrent to interested clubs, which seems to be the only way the Magpies could try to legitimately block a transfer outside of St. James’ Park.
“(Newcastle will) be looking for £80 million plus for Sandro Tonali, maybe even more,” O’Rourke said. “I’m sure those clubs that are interested in Tonali will probably chance their arm and try to persuade Newcastle to do a deal for him.”
As things stand, with the transfer window opening right around the corner, Newcastle’s stance remains firm.
“As things stand right now, they want to keep hold of him,” O’Rourke said. “Other players might leave before him, and if they do, that might mean they do not need to cash in on Tonali.”
With Eddie Howe set to remain as Newcastle’s manager and expected to oversee a significant squad reshuffle this summer, the. Magpies appear to be locked on keeping Tonali as part of their core for at least another season.
