Newcastle United must avoid a repeat of Alexander Isak’s transfer saga and sell Sandro Tonali early in the summer if he wants out.
That’s the view of the Inside The Toon panel who discussed the Italian’s future during the latest edition of the show at St James’ Park.
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Tonali was surprisingly at the center of a transfer deadline story involving Arsenal.
An agent offered the player to the club, which was considering a midfielder move due to Mikel Merino’s injury.
However, the clubs have never spoken officially and Tonali’s agent denied any discussions had taken place, while coach Eddie Howe reiterated the midfielder’s commitment to the Toon.
But it was still a major topic of conversation that divided the Inside The Toon panel.
And after the painful Alexander Isak saga in the summer, when the player went on strike to force through a British record £125m move to Liverpool, The Pitch Prospect’s Jack Cunningham is interested in a quick solution to Tonali’s situation.
When asked about presenter Olly Clink’s transfer links, he said: “No smoke without fire.
“It may not have been his agent but it is certainly an agent who offered him to Arsenal – he must have a connection with Sandro Tonali.
“Tonali’s form has been very up and down this season. At the moment he is in a huge disappointment.
“I still wouldn’t advocate selling it at all.
“But we can’t have another Alexander Isak saga, and I don’t think we’ll do that with Tonali – I didn’t think we’d do that with Isak because I didn’t think he was that kind of character – but I definitely don’t think we’ll do that with Tonali.”
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“I think Tonali is really grateful for what the club and the fans have done for him during his playing ban.
“So if he goes ahead, I would prefer the sale to be fairly painless, to make good money from him, and for us to thank him for his service.”
“But a lot will depend on what happens later in the season. If Newcastle get some European football then you have a better chance of retaining these players.”
“The problem with an offseason is that it can have serious consequences, so you could lose a player like that.”
But Adam Clery – of the award-winning Adam Clery Football Channel – believes it was more of an agent doing his job and nothing more.
He said, “Can I just reassure everyone: What do people think agents do all year round?”
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“Every single player has an agent who speaks to brands, sponsors, other agents, scouts and every other club throughout the year.
“There’s a constant ecosystem of figuring out where there might be interest.
“Normally this stuff just doesn’t get out because how much of a non-story did this become right away?”
“Newcastle denied it, Tonali’s agent denied it – there was nothing there at all.
“But someone connected to Tonali spoke to Arsenal at some point during the transfer window; he would have spoken to dozens of other clubs.”
“You’re right, there is no smoke without fire – but there is fire all the time. I don’t think that means anything.”
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And former PDC darts star, The Pitch Prospect commentator and huge Newcastle fan Paul Nicholson believes it is very rare these days for players to stay at clubs for years.
He remarked: “How many one-club players do you have left?
“Not everyone is Ryan Giggs. Not everyone does what Robert Lee did, which was to stay at a club for so long.
“These are transition players who are moving from one place to another due to other circumstances, and it is the agent’s job to get them to the right place for their career and their family.”
What was said?
Tonali hasn’t said much about the Arsenal rumors yet, but Howe has assured Newcastle fans that the Italy international is happy on Tyneside.
The former AC Milan star also has a contract at St. James’ Park until 2029 with an option for a further year.
This was a secret extension signed during his ban for violating gambling rules.
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But despite all the talks with Arsenal, Tonali’s agent in Italy has spoken about his client’s future.
He said: “Newcastle are finding it difficult to let go of Sandro and he wants to take the club to the Champions League.”
“These transfer talks will take place later. We will see how the season ends and then we will decide what to do.”
“There is no preference right now. It’s still early. What we say today won’t apply tomorrow.”
“Newcastle couldn’t let him go now and there’s no point in moving, especially as Sandro is very attached to the club.”
“We will evaluate and decide what to do in the summer.”