Joelinton and Jacob Murphy react to Newcastle’s Sandro Tonali announcement
Newcastle United have recognised Sandro Tonali’s form this season after they sealed a return to the Champions League.
Eddie Howe‘s Magpies will be back among Europe’s elite next term after they finished fifth in the Premier League table, and beat Aston Villa to a Champions League place thanks to their superior goal difference.
Newcastle got lucky on the final day after they were beaten 1-0 at home by Everton and left their fate up to chance, only for Villa to lose 2-0 to Manchester United in controversial circumstances at Old Trafford.
As a result, Newcastle join Liverpool, Arsenal, Man City, Chelsea and Europa League winners Tottenham in the Champions League, and that leaves them well placed to retain the likes of Alexander Isak, Bruno Guimaraes and Tonali this summer.
Tonali takes final Newcastle award in new announcement
After he missed the majority of last season as the result of a betting-related ban, Tonali has been a revelation in the Magpies’ midfield this term and only Guimaraes and Dan Burn made more appearances.
The risk of Newcastle not featuring in the Champions League for a second straight season had sparked reports that Tonali may push to leave St. James’ Park this summer, but his form since has been flawless.
Newcastle may have won just one of their four matches in May, but acknowledged Tonali’s consistency in an announcement on their official Instagram page (28 May) and named him as their player of the month.
In a post liked by Magpies players Jacob Murphy and Joelinton, Newcastle said: “Sandro ole, ole, ole…
“Sandro Tonali has won the Sela Player of the Month for May.”
‘Champions League Newcastle’ to prevent Tonali transfer
Tonali is one of several Newcastle players with admirers aplenty at other Premier League and European clubs, with the Italian and Alexander Isak arguably the two most heavily-linked with a move away.
Football Insider revealed in March that Newcastle plan to reject any approaches made for Tonali this summer, with Howe hesitant to break up his dominant midfield trio alongside Joelinton and Guimaraes.
Further additions are planned with Newcastle one of several clubs fond of Dinamo Zagreb playmaker Martin Baturina, but keeping hold of Tonali, Isak, Guimaraes and others is the top priority for Howe.