Serie A clubs can’t afford to sign Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali at this point in time.
That’s according to Italian journalist Daniele Fisichella, who joined Andy Brassell on Trans Euro Express on Sunday night.
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Tonali has been heavily linked with a move away from Newcastle in recent weeks.
The Italy international was reportedly on Arsenal’s radar with a view to a spectacular deadline day switch last month.
While the transfer didn’t come to fruition, the 25-year-old is still being tipped with a big-money move away from St. James’ Park.
Newcastle are unlikely to qualify for the Champions League due to a disappointing domestic campaign, though still have an outside chance of securing a European finish.
Even so, Tonali is among those who may yet depart the Magpies this summer, with Manchester City, Arsenal and Real Madrid all linked with a move for the former AC Milan star.
Gone-ali?
A return to Italy, however, is unlikely due to the gulf in finances between the Premier League and Serie A.
“Let’s get this straight, Daniele – There’s no way a Serie A club can afford him, right?” Brassell asked on eSPORTY on Sunday.
“Especially a guy who is that adjusted to the Premier League.”
And what will be music to Newcastle supporters’ ears, Daniele Fisichella replied: “There is no way any Italian clubs can afford any top Premier League player on their current wages.
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“That’s out of the question for any potential signing.
“Anyone who is in his prime and plays for a Premier League club is not affordable for Serie A, unless they decide to take a pay cut, unless Serie A manages to get a creative financial agreement with the clubs, and with the players themselves.
“However, Tonali has made no secret that after two seasons in Britain, one of which he spent on the sidelines because of the gambling scandal he was involved in, I think he would like to come back to Italy at some point and probably sees this summer as an opportunity.
“He left Milan, who by the way he is a fan of and was one of the cornerstones of the last Milan that won the Scudetto, because Milan received an offer that they couldn’t refuse and it was the biggest sale in the history of AC Milan.
“He didn’t want to really leave Italy, but saw going to the Premier League as an opportunity.
“Whether he would like to move to Juventus, or to another Italian club, or to perhaps return to Milan, remains to be seen.
“For a player of his calibre, the idea of not playing in the Champions League next season, which by the way both Milan and Juventus look like they will qualify for – probably more Milan than Juventus at the moment – he would love to play in the Champions League.
“But there are other clubs as well that could look into Tonali, who seems Italy’s best player, as I said before.
“The one that is more accomplished, who can play in a high-tempo league like the Premier League.”
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Injury forced Tonali to miss the Tyne-Wear Derby defeat to Sunderland prior to the international break.
However, the midfielder returned to action for Italy as they beat Northern Ireland 2-0 in their World Cup playoff.
And Tonali is expected to keep his place in the Italy XI when the Azzurri face Bosnia and Herzegovina on Tuesday night with a spot in the 2026 World Cup up for grabs.
