Sandro Tonali Committed to Newcastle United Despite Challenges
Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali has expressed his commitment to the club, stating he is taking his future one year at a time while enjoying his time at the Magpies.
The Italy international joined Newcastle in July 2023 for £55 million from AC Milan. Initially signing a five-year contract, he extended his deal by an additional year while serving a 10-month ban imposed by the Italian Football Federation for breaching betting regulations.
Tonali's new contract includes an option for Newcastle to extend his stay by another 12 months, lasting until 2030.
Following Newcastle's 2-0 victory over Athletic Club in the Champions League on Wednesday, Tonali addressed questions regarding his long-term future at the club. He remarked, "This is a tough question because, you know, in football, you need to think year by year. I don't want to say I want to stay here for ten years and then leave in two, three, four, or five years."
Newcastle was embroiled in a lengthy transfer saga last summer, culminating in striker Alexander Isak's departure to Liverpool for £125 million. Isak had previously claimed that promises made by Newcastle were "broken," leading to his assertion that their "relationship can't continue." However, Newcastle maintained that there had never been an agreement allowing him to leave.
Tonali, who has become a key player under manager Eddie Howe, having featured 14 times this season, stated, "Last summer was tough for us, especially for Alex [Isak], but this is football. If you have an option for your life with another team, you need to consider everything. I don’t want to say, 'Yes, I want to stay here for ten years,' but right now, I'm happy here. I’m not thinking about another team."