‘A thousand scenarios’ - Newcastle United issued worrying Sandro Tonali transfer date message by agent
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Newcastle United latest news: Sandro Tonali’s agent has once again spoken about the midfielder’s future at St James’ Park.
Sandro Tonali’s agent has confirmed that he expects transfer talk surrounding the Italian to ramp up following this summer’s World Cup.
Italy are yet to guarantee their place in this summer’s tournament and know they have to beat Northern Ireland and then the winner of Bosnia & Herzegovina v Wales to book their spot in Group B of the World Cup alongside co-hosts Canada, 2022 hosts Qatar and Switzerland.
Tonali will have a key role to play in Gennaro Gattuso’s side in their upcoming World Cup play-off matches - and then again in USA, Canada and Mexico if they are victorious in those. Italy, who won the 2021 European Championship, haven’t qualified for the World Cup since 2014.
Tonali will head on international duty later this month and then, potentially, to the World Cup as a Newcastle United player. But his agent has recently sparked doubts on whether he will last long as a Newcastle United player following the culmination of the World Cup.
Tonali was, memorably, linked with a shock deadline day move away from St James’ Park in February. Whilst those reports were quashed almost as quickly as they surfaced on the final day of the winter transfer window, they highlighted the fragility of Tonali’s long-term future at the club and served as a reminder that Newcastle United cannot afford to take any steps back in their project or else they risk losing their top players.
Sandro Tonali’s agent reveals Newcastle United transfer update
Just a few days before Newcastle United travel to Barcelona for one of the club’s biggest games in recent memory, certainly their biggest in European competitions in recent years, Tonali’s agent has once again been talking about the midfielder’s future on Tyneside. Speaking to Calcio&Finanza, Giuseppe Riso revealed that Tonali’s trophy ambitions may not be served at Newcastle United and that post-World Cup, there could be a rush for his signature.
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“Newcastle are already a Champions League club, but now it’s said that Tonali is being targeted by top clubs, those aiming to win the Premier League, such as Arsenal or Manchester City,” Riso said.
“That was the aim from the moment he went to England - to try and turn him into a star player.
“I think he’s the Italian player with one of the highest values in the world. I don’t know (whether he will join Man City or Arsenal). But it’s very likely. Everyone is waiting for the World Cup; then a thousand scenarios will unfold, but it all kicks off after the World Cup.”
Hopefully, all of this transfer talk does not distract Tonali from on-field matters as he prepares for Newcastle United’s trip to the Camp Nou. Tonali missed the Magpies’ victory over Chelsea on Saturday evening through illness, but it is hoped that he will be fit enough to make the trip to Spain this week.
The Magpies know they must avoid defeat to have a chance of progressing to the Champions League quarter-finals. Extra-time and penalties will be played if the score is even after 90 minutes on Wednesday night.