Newcastle ‘close to £55m signing of Champions League star as Eddie Howe makes him top transfer target’
NEWCASTLE are close to signing AC Milan midfielder Sandro Tonali in a whopping £55million deal.
The Italy international is Toon boss Eddie Howie’s top midfield target this season and would be a coup heading into their first Champions League season.
Tonali, 23, won the Scudetto with Milan in 2022 before reaching the Champions League semi-finals this season.
The deal, which moved closer after talks yesterday, would match the fee paid for club record signing Alexander Isak.
Howe wants to add two midfielders this summer and is also keen on Inter Milan’s Nicolo Barella.
The ex-Bournemouth manager would like to play star midfielder Bruni Guimaraes further forward.
And the acquisition of Tonali would help to accommodate this switch due to his “tactical flexibility”.
Tonali originally joined Milan on loan from Brescia three years ago before the move was made permanent in 2021.
He made 48 appearances for Stefano Pioli’s side this season, scoring two goals and adding ten assists.
Elsewhere, Newcastle want to bolster their squad with a new winger, centre-back and full-back.
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James Maddison and Marc Cucurella have both been linked with moves to St James’ Park for those areas.
Newcastle will kick start the new season with a clash against Unai Emery‘s Aston Villa.
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