Real Madrid get firm Tonali answer

Jacque Talbot

• 27 Oct 2024 12:00 GMT
• 4 min read

Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe has addressed recent reports linking Sandro Tonali with a potential move to Real Madrid.

The Italian is back this season after a ten-month ban for gambling breaches. He is slowly picking up the pace but this week reports suggested that Real Madrid are keen.

Despite the Spanish club's already stacked midfield lineup, which includes top talents like Jude Bellingham, Federico Valverde, Aurelien Tchouameni, and Eduardo Camavinga, rumours have emerged from Milan suggesting that Los Blancos are keeping a close eye on Tonali’s development.

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Milan.Live reported this week: "A new destination that is nothing short of a surprise for the midfielder from Lodi who wants to make up for lost time. His career can now take off once and for all and he can do so with Tonali on board a big team, the transfer would be good news for Milan who could also gain from the future sale.

Current ETV

Sandro Tonali

M, DM (C)

Newcastle Utd.

Sandro Tonali

M, DM (C)

Newcastle Utd.

€35.9M

ETV Range

€26.9M - €44.9M

View full profile

"Tonali 's contract with Newcastle is clear: in the event of a future resale, 10% of the sum earned will go to Milan. For this reason, the move to Real Madrid might not be such a drama for the Rossoneri who hope that their former jewel will be sold for a fortune. According to several sources, the Azzurri midfielder could move to Carlo Ancelotti's court."

Howe responds to Tonali claims

But Howe, speaking in a press conference ahead of Newcastle's trip to Chelsea, said that he was not aware of any interest and he wanted to keep Tonali. He told reporters: "That one is news to me. It is not something I am contemplating. I am trying to build Sandro into the team after his ban.

"He has performed really well the last few games. I have been really pleased with how he is finding his feet in the team. He is building new relationships. It is not just the player coming into the team it is also the players around Sandro and how those relationships start to form. I have been pleased how they have.

Howe continued: "He has been very good psychologically, his attitude has been excellent and I am really hopeful for the future of him in our team."

"We have held a lot of individual meetings with him. A lot of tactical reviews. It is one thing reviewing his training performances but that is totally different from reviewing his match performances and find ways of taking his game to another level. It is a lot easier when a player is in the team.

"I have pleased the way he has come back from his ban. The international games have helped him and he has made a good transition back into the team."