Sandro Tonali’s £60 million move to Premier League giants Newcastle United is a ‘sad’ moment for Serie A outfit AC Milan.
That is the view of former Rossoneri goalkeeper Simone Braglia. A view shared, it seems, by many of a black-and-red persuasion.
Sandro Tonali, a boyhood AC Milan fan, was supposed to be the posterboy of a bright San Siro future. Instead, he is on his way to Newcastle United with the Magpies closing in one a club-record equalling £60 million deal, much to the ‘bewilderment’ of many in Italy.
“It’s a sadness as a Milan fan,” Braglia tells Tuttomercatoweb.
“In order to stay at Milan in 2021, Tonali had reduced his salary. Today, things have gone the other way. This is sad for me.”
Newcastle United close in on AC Milan’s Sandro Tonali
23-year-old Tonali joined his beloved Milan from Brescia back in 2020 but struggled during his debut season at the San Siro. The industrious playmaker has come on leaps and bounds since then, however; starring as the seven-time European champions ended their decade-long wait for Scudetto glory in 2022 before reaching the semi-finals of the Champions League 12 months later.
Tonali set up 10 goals in all competitions last term. He also assisted Piero Pellegri’s goal during Italy’s 2-1 defeat to France in the U21 European Championships on Thursday night; whipping in a typically pinpoint set-piece.
Fabrizio Romano believes a deal could be completed as early as today. Newcastle reached a ‘verbal agreement’ with Tonali on Thursday.
“Tonali certainly fits Eddie Howe’s profile,” ex-Newcastle shot-stopper Shaka Hislop tells ESPN. “Because he’s a young, dynamic midfielder, who is box-to-box. More defensive.
“As much as you might question the price tag about Tonali, I certainly questioned the price tag around Alexander Isak 12 months ago. And given his performances, it was an absolute bargain at £60 million.
“I think Eddie Howe has earned this little bit of wiggle room, in terms of not questioning the prices he is willing to pay.”
Tonali’s impending arrival could bring an end to Newcastle’s pursuit of Inter Milan’s Nicolo Barella and Manchester United’s Scott McTominay.
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