(Credit: Imago)

James Murray

Wed 1 April 2026 7:00, UK

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Sandro Tonali could see an £80million offer accepted for his services to help Newcastle United comply with Uefa’s financial rules. 

That is according to former Manchester City financial adviser Stefan Borson, who exclusively told Football Insider the Magpies are expected to make a significant profit on the Italy international.

The 25-year-old has been consistently linked with a move away from Newcastle over the past few months.

The Shields Gazette reported on 26 March Tonali has a gentleman’s agreement to leave St James’ Park if Eddie Howe’s side don’t qualify for the Champions League. 

However, Newcastle responded to the transfer rumours around the midfielder’s future by insisting no such agreement exists. 

Why Newcastle have breached Uefa’s financial rules

Football Insider revealed on Saturday (28 March) Manchester United have shortlisted Tonali as a potential option ahead of the summer transfer window.

A sale would boost Newcastle’s financial situation, with the club believed to be close to breaching Uefa’s spending rules. 

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Borson discussed Newcastle’s approach to the summer transfer window.

“They have capacity from a kind of regulatory perspective, although I do think they will be in a Uefa settlement by the end of the season because they will have breached the football earnings tests for 2024-25,” said Borson. 

“Whether they breached Uefa’s squad cost ratio, I don’t know, but it would have been close. I don’t think there’s any question there, so that will restrict them slightly.

“But because of the way that settlement process works, you can usually manage it in the early stages because the only thing that you’ll agree with Uefa is something that you know you can comply with, so they should be okay in terms of being able to comply there.” 

How Sandro Tonali sale could boost Newcastle’s profits

Borson revealed Newcastle could make a “chunky profit” on Tonali as they consider their plans for the summer.

“We don’t know who they’re going to sell,” said Borson.

“There’s a lot of talk about players, particularly Tonali, wanting out or actually saying more that he’s got a gentleman’s agreement. 

“Newcastle have denied that, but obviously if he was to be sold, there’s probably quite a chunky profit there. His book value is now probably down to £15m. 

“They will probably be able to sell him for £80m, which is a pretty chunky profit for all the financial fair play tests. That would give them a lot of capacity to go out into the market again.”