An insight into the alleged reaction of AC Milan star Sandro Tonali to news of the club’s decision to sell him to Newcastle United has been forthcoming on Friday evening.
The name of midfielder Tonali, of course, has taken its place front and centre in the European headlines across the week to date.
This comes after the Newcastle brass, seemingly out of the blue, struck a big-money agreement with their counterparts at Milan, over the signing of the Italian international.
A deal for a sum with the potential to rise as high as €80 million is understood to be on the verge of completion, with Tonali set to add further bite and quality to an increasingly impressive midfield under the watch of Eddie Howe.
Speaking to the media late on Friday, it therefore came as little surprise when the subject of his client’s rumoured Magpies switch was put to the 23-year-old’s agent.
And Giuseppe Riso was not shy in confirming that the transfer is indeed imminent, hailing the deal as an ‘excellent’ one for all involved:
Sandro Tonali’s agent Giuseppe Riso: “This is an excellent deal, Newcastle is the perfect project for Tonali. Newcastle wanted Sandro as key signing at all costs”. ⚪️⚫️ #NUFC
“He will be a crucial player for Mapgies. This deal also helps AC Milan and Brescia’s finances a lot”. pic.twitter.com/y0buW7EISM
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 23, 2023
This comes amid claims that the all-action midfielder was all but forced out of San Siro.
As per a report from La Repubblica, Tonali, a lifelong Milan fan, had no intention of joining Newcastle, only to be informed by the Rossoneri hierarchy that he was being forced out.
Having held out hope of spending the rest of his career in the famed Diavolo red and white, the former Brescia talent, in turn, is understood to have broken down in tears upon learning of Milan’s decision.
📰 Repubblica: Sandro #Tonali didn’t want to leave AC Milan. He wanted to become one of the club’s Bandiera. He broke down in tears when he learned that the club wanted to sell him. pic.twitter.com/nFd84eq2nu
— Milan Posts (@MilanPosts) June 23, 2023
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