Sandro Tonali’s frustration following Newcastle United’s recent run of form has drawn internal attention, according to a report by the Daily Mail’s Craig Hope.
Hope reported that Tonali declined a request to speak in the mixed zone at the Etihad Stadium after Newcastle’s EFL Cup defeat to Manchester City, before making an audible remark reflecting his dissatisfaction with recent performances.
Hope wrote that Tonali “did not cut a happy figure” on Wednesday.
The incident came shortly after Tonali was seen speaking with Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola on the pitch. Guardiola is known to be a long-time admirer of the Italian midfielder, and a summer transfer is not out of the question given the latest developments around Tonali.
Hope asked Guardiola about the exchange, and the Spaniard “gave a longer answer than anticipated, revealing mutual friends and prior communication.”
Following speculation on deadline day suggesting Tonali had been offered to Arsenal, his agent denied those claims but left the door open for a future move out of Tyneside.
“We never had any conversation with Arsenal,” Giuseppe Riso said earlier this week. “Newcastle were never going to let Tonali leave.
“We will see around March about Sandro’s valuation, but only if Newcastle decide to open doors.”
Hope noted that part of Riso’s comments “raised eyebrows” internally, adding that Newcastle remain protected by Tonali’s contract, which runs to 2030, but that there is awareness that discussions about his future could emerge later this year.
