Sandro Tonali’s Newcastle United 'desire' hinted at by former AC Milan and Italy manager

Newcastle United made AC Milan and Sandro Tonali offers they could not refuse, according to Arrigo Sacchi.

Tonali signed an "initial" five-year deal at St James’ Park after the two clubs agreed a deal worth around £55million late last month.

Former Milan and Italy manager Sacchi was asked by Gazetta dello Sport whether he would have sold the midfielder to Newcastle.

Sacchi said: “How can you say no to those figures? And then also the player, who was given a salary offer equal to double or perhaps more than what he perceived, probably expressed a desire to leave. He’s human.”

Tonali – who visited Tyneside this week – had spent three years at Milan, the club he supported as a boy.

Speaking to journalists in Italy yesterday, the 23-year-old said: "The most difficult of my career, but it was a choice that had to be made now, and we made it.

"Milan welcomed me like a son, and I'll never forget it for the rest of my life. I'll thank them forever."