Newcastle United have already had a busy start to their summer transfer window, with the departure of Anthony Gordon confirmed early on.
The ex-Magpies winger was sold to Barcelona in a £69m deal, putting Newcastle in a fantastic position to reinvest and refresh their squad following a disappointing campaign.
The Tyneside giants finished their Premier League campaign in 12th, with a really disjointed approach to their performances throughout the season and no European football secured for next season.
The failure to qualify for Europe is a big blow for the Magpies after an exciting Champions League campaign that saw them reach their first round of sixteen stage of the competition in their history.
Not only will fans be frustrated by the club’s regression, but it could also make their summer recruitment plans more difficult and potentially see current players pushing for a move away.
What is the latest on Sandro Tonali’s future?
It has been widely reported that Italian midfielder Sandro Tonali could push for a move away from the North East this summer.
With no World Cup participation, the 26-year-old has the entire summer to decide his future, and there is no shortage of Premier League clubs interested in snapping up his services ahead of next season.
According to The Telegraph, Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal and Manchester City are in a three-way battle to land the Newcastle midfielder.
The publication claims that key figures at St James’ Park have anticipated Tonali’s potential departure and have been identifying replacements during recent recruitment meetings.
It was further noted that despite holding a strong interest for months, Manchester United have now pulled out of the race, citing the combined cost of the transfer fee and wage demands as too expensive.
What is Sandro Tonali’s price tag?
There is no doubt that Tonali is one of the most sought-after midfielders in the Premier League and plays a key role at St James’ Park.
As a result, it will come as no surprise that Newcastle are only willing to part ways with their star for a price that benefits them.
With Nottingham Forest turning down a £120m bid for Elliot Anderson and relegated West Ham United setting an eye-watering £80m price tag for Mateus Fernandes, Tonali’s experience and consistency in both the Premier League and Champions League will not come cheap for interested clubs.
talkSPORT transfer expert Alex Crook revealed yesterday that Newcastle will demand at least £90m to part ways with their Italian ace.
Will Newcastle replace Sandro Tonali?
While it remains to be seen whether Newcastle will sanction a move for Tonali this summer, the club must be prepared to replace their midfielder if he does depart.
One player the Geordies have been linked with in central midfield is Monaco and Senegal ace Lamine Camara.
The 22-year-old is currently competing at the World Cup, starting in Senegal’s 3-1 defeat to France on Tuesday evening.
He played in a more advanced midfield role than usual and recorded a pass accuracy of 90%.
Bringing in a young, up-and-coming talent would be an ideal option to future-proof the midfield, but replacing Tonali’s experience will be difficult.
Whether Tonali ultimately stays or departs this summer could define Newcastle’s transfer window.
The Italian remains one of the club’s most influential players, but with growing interest from some of the Premier League’s biggest clubs, speculation surrounding his future is unlikely to disappear any time soon.
If an offer matching Newcastle’s valuation arrives, the Magpies may face a difficult decision.
Should Tonali move on, securing a suitable replacement will become one of the club’s top priorities as they look to rebuild and return to competing for European football under Eddie Howe next season.
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