As one transfer saga ended with Alexander Isak last summer, it’s starting to feel like another one is beginning, this time involving Sandro Tonali.
After conflicting claims on Monday, including suggestions that his agent Giuseppe Riso had offered the player to Arsenal, Riso told Sky Italy that this was not true. Shutting down media nonsense or trying to save face after his camp were caught out?
Who knows, but Tonali’s agent is back at it today, this time speaking to Italian outlet TuttoSport about Tonali’s future.
Riso insists Tonali is focused on Newcastle and our Champions League campaign, but does little to play down a potential move this summer, admitting ‘transfer discussions will take place later’ in an interview that feels poorly timed just 24 hours before one of our biggest games of the season.
“Newcastle are having a hard time letting go of Sandro, and he wants to lead the club to the Champions League.
“These transfer discussions will take place later. We’ll see how the season ends and then we’ll decide what to do.”
Discussing what could happen this summer, Riso didn’t close the door on a summer exit, suggesting the remainder of the season (qualification for Europe?) could have a strong bearing on what happens next.
“There’s no preference at the moment. It’s still early. What we’re saying today won’t apply tomorrow.
“Newcastle couldn’t let him go now, and there’s no point in moving, especially since Sandro is very attached to the club.
“We’ll evaluate and decide what to do in the summer.”
As for Tonali himself, it’s worth revisiting what the man himself said when speaking to Keith Downie back in November.
Back then, he admitted that he must assess his position ‘year on year’, but stressing that he is happy on Tyneside right now and only focused on performing for Eddie Howe.
“This is a tough question because, you know, (in) football you need to think year on year. I don’t want to say I want to stay here 10 years and in two years, three years, four years, five years I will go.
“Every player here… I want to think, just for me, year for year. This is football. The last summer was tough for us, for Alex (Isak), but this is football. If you have an option for your life, for another team you need to think about everything.
“I don’t want to say ‘Yes, I want to stay here 10 years’ but now I’m happy here. I don’t think anything about any other team.”
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