Sandro Tonali’s transfer situation can ruin Newcastle’s summer – club must learn from Alexander Isak saga

Newcastle United have to avoid a repeat of the Alexander Isak transfer saga and sell Sandro Tonali early in the summer if he wants out.

That is the view of the Inside The Toon panel, who discussed the Italian’s future at St James’ Park during the latest edition of the show.

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Tonali was surprisingly the centre of a transfer deadline story involving Arsenal.

An agent offered the player to the club, who were contemplating a move for a midfielder due to Mikel Merino’s injury.

However, the clubs never formally spoke, and Tonali’s agent denied any conversations took place, while boss Eddie Howe reaffirmed the midfielder’s commitment to the Toon.

But it was still a huge topic of conversation that divided the Inside The Toon panel.

And after the painful Alexander Isak saga in the summer where the player went on strike to force through a British record £125million move to Liverpool, talkSPORT’s Jack Cunningham is keen for a swift resolution to Tonali’s situation.

When asked about the transfer links by host Olly Clink, he said: “No smoke without fire.

“It might not have been his agent, but it is certainly an agent who has offered him to Arsenal – he’s got to have some connection to Sandro Tonali.

“Tonali’s form has been very up and down this season. At the moment, he is in a massive downer.

“I still wouldn’t be advocating for selling him at all.

“But we can’t have another Alexander Isak saga, and I don’t think we will with Tonali – I didn’t think we would with Isak because I didn’t think he was that type of character – but I definitely don’t think we will with Tonali.

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“I do think Tonali is genuinely grateful for what the club and fans did for him during his gambling ban.

“So if he is going to move on, I would rather it be just a pretty painless sale, make some good money from him, and we thank him for his service.

“But a lot will depend on what happens in the rest of the season. If Newcastle can get some European football, you’ve got a better chance of keeping these players.

“The issue with having an off-season is that it can have some major ramifications, where you might lose a player like that.”

But Adam Clery – from the award-winning Adam Clery Football Channel – is convinced that this was more a case of an agent doing his job and nothing more.

He said: “Can I just reassure everyone. What do people think agents do all year?

“Every single player has an agent spending all year speaking to brands, sponsors, other agents, scouts and every other club.

“There is a constant ecosystem of feeling out where there might be some interest.

“This stuff just doesn’t normally get out because how much of a nothing story did this immediately become?

“Newcastle denied it, Tonali’s agent denied it – there was nothing there whatsoever.

“But someone connected to Tonali did speak to Arsenal at some point during the transfer window; they would have spoken to dozens of other clubs.

“You are right, there is no smoke without fire – but there is constantly fire. I don’t think it indicates anything.”

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And former PDC darts star, talkSPORT commentator and huge Newcastle fan Paul Nicholson,is of the view that it is very rare that players stay at clubs for years these days.

He remarked:“How many one-club players do you have anymore?

“Not everybody is Ryan Giggs. Not everybody does what Robert Lee did, staying at a club for such a long period of time.

“These are transitional players from one place to another, based on other circumstances, and it is the agent’s job to position their person in the right place for their career and for their family.”

What has been said?

Tonali has yet to say much on the rumours surrounding Arsenal, but Howe has assured Newcastle fans the Italian international is happy on Tyneside.

The former AC Milan star also has a contract at St James’ Park until 2029 with the option for an extra year.

This was a secret extension signed during his ban for breaking gambling rules.

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But despite any talks with Arsenal, Tonali’s agent has been speaking in Italy about his client’s future.

He said: “Newcastle are having a hard time letting go of Sandro, and he wants to lead the club to the Champions League.

“These transfer discussions will take place later. We’ll see how the season ends and then we’ll decide what to do.

“There’s no preference at the moment. It’s still early. What we’re saying today won’t apply tomorrow.

“Newcastle couldn’t let him go now, and there’s no point in moving, especially since Sandro is very attached to the club.

“We’ll evaluate and decide what to do in the summer.”