‘Sandro Tonali wants to leave Newcastle’ as replacement lined up already
Eddie Howe is already making plans to replace Sandro Tonali if the midfielder leaves Newcastle United this summer.
Tonali’s form for Newcastle since returning to the fold from his 10-month betting ban has been superb, forming a world-class midfield partnership with Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton for the Magpies.
The 24-year-old has been a near ever-present in Howe’s side, scoring four goals and assisting twice in 36 appearances across all competitions, starting at Wembley as Newcastle won the EFL Cup last month.
However, Tonali is not completely embedded in the black-and-white fabric at St. James’ Park as Football Insider revealed in December that Newcastle could reluctantly consider offers for Tonali this summer.
Newcastle ‘informed’ of Sandro Tonali transfer intention
Former Manchester United and Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider back in January that Newcastle have no plans to sell Tonali any time soon, but this summer, their hands could be forced.
Sky Sport.ch journalist Sacha Tavolieri reported on 7 April that Tonali has already informed Newcastle’s higher-ups of his desire to leave St. James’ Park this summer, and are preparing to let the Italian leave.
| Player | Appearances | Starts | Goals | Assists | Yellow/Red Cards |
| Sandro Tonali | 36 | 26 | 4 | 2 | 6 |
| Eberechi Eze | 33 | 31 | 6 | 11 | 1 |
Howe is loathe to lose Tonali this summer, particularly with Newcastle reluctant to breach financial fair play rules when looking for a replacement, but the Magpies boss has already identifed his replacement.
Newcastle see Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze succeeding Tonali in Howe’s three-man midfield, with the Magpies happy to pay the 26-year-old’s £60million release clause if the Italian’s exit is confirmed.
Eberechi Eze transfer a no-brainer for Eddie Howe
Football Insider revealed last October that Newcastle were one of several sides keen on plucking Eze from Palace if given the opportunity, having seen their summer pursuit for Marc Guehi come to nothing.
Eze’s six goals and 11 assists in all competitions for the Eagles this season have put him on the transfer shortlists of Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham, with Brown seeing the latter as favourites to sign him.
Howe’s Newcastle side, however, have already claimed silverware this season and are well in contention to secure Champions League football, and if Eze wants to join a club on the up, he could be a soaring success in Magpies colours.