Transfer deadline day is not expected to see any major movement in or out at Newcastle United, however, a Sandro Tonali war of words has developed surrounding the midfielder.
The business today predicted to be only Jamaal Lascelles moving to Leicester City.
As for Sandro Tonali, we have now seen today all of Sky Sports Germany, Sky Sports Italia, Sky Sports (UK!), David Ornstein and Beppe Riso getting involved.
Deadline day started off with Florian Plettenberg of Sky Sports Germany claiming to have knowledge that Arsenal had already seen an initial approach by Arsenal rejected by Newcastle United.
Very quickly, Keith Downie, who regularly covers Newcastle United for Sky Sports (UK!) rubbished the claims of Florian Plettenberg, Downie stating; “Newcastle United have had no approach from Arsenal for Sandro Tonali, don’t expect one, and wouldn’t entertain one…there has been no talks involving the sale of the midfielder this window. If Newcastle United are unwilling to allow Joe Willock to leave due to being light in midfield, the same (but stronger) message exists for Tonali,”
David Ornstein of The Athletic then followed up the reporting from both Sky Sports Germany and the UK Sky Sports, saying his information was that, ‘Sandro Tonali was offered to Arsenal by his agent (Beppe Riso) but there were no talks with Newcastle United and nothing will develop before Monday’s transfer deadline. The Italy international’s representative reached out to Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta over the 25-year-old midfielder, a player admired by Arsenal for a long period of time.”
The man from The Athletic going on to explain; “Part of Berta’s role is to explore such situations when they present themselves and he did so like he would any other. However, with Newcastle unwilling to do any business at this stage of the window and the theoretical asking price being far beyond Arsenal’s financial capabilities the situation will not progress any further.”
Now Sandro Tonali’s agent Beppe Riso has spoken to Sky Sports Italia about the situation and especially what David Ornstein has reported about him, Riso claiming; “I read that [by David Ornstein] but Newcastle United won’t let Sandro leave in January and we never talked to Arsenal about this. We will evaluate in March whether Newcastle United are open to anything, but right now he is playing in the Champions League, it is not the right moment to talk about it.”
Agents make their big money when players that they represent move clubs.
So when you are deciding who you can and can’t believe today…
When Newcastle United Sporting Director Ross Wilson arrived at St James’ Park last last year, he talked about the contract situations with certain key players.
Admitting he was pleasantly surprised to discover the situation regarding Sandro Tonali, when he (Wilson) arrived from Nottingham Forest.
Ross Wilson having discovered on his arrival at St James’ Park, that rather than the Italy international having a contract that runs to the end of June 2028. The reality was that it effectively runs to the end of June 2030.
Sandro’s contract having secretly been extended to end of June 2029 AND an extra season on top of that which Newcastle United can choose to trigger, effectively meaning Tonali is contracted for another four and a half years as things currently stand.
