Tonali wants Italy return, he is open to join …

Sandro Tonali’s next six months already seem mapped out: help Italy qualify for the World Cup, push Newcastle back into European competition, and then potentially evaluate a return to Italy.

The 2000-born midfielder is preparing for what could be a defining year in his career, with transfer rumors surrounding the former AC Milan star growing stronger than ever.

His agent, Giuseppe Riso, has been working to calm speculation while also confirming that a future departure from Newcastle cannot be ruled out. However, Tonali’s personal priority appears clear — if possible, he would like to return to Serie A.

Transfer Value, Contract Situation, and Newcastle’s Stance

Tonali joined Newcastle in the summer of 2023, and the current campaign marks his third season with the Magpies.

The club paid €58.9 million to sign him from Milan, who later sent €4.2 million to Brescia due to a resale clause, generating a capital gain of around €48 million.

Tonali signed a contract worth €7 million per year, running until June 30, 2028. This means the upcoming summer could be the ideal moment for Newcastle to cash in should they decide to sell.

Speaking to Tuttosport, Riso confirmed that discussions about Tonali’s future will likely take place closer to the summer:

“Newcastle find it difficult to part ways with Sandro and he wants to help the club reach the Champions League. Transfer talks will happen later. We’ll see how the season ends and then evaluate. Juventus? There’s no preference right now. Newcastle couldn’t let him leave and it wasn’t the right time to move, also because Sandro is very attached to the club. In the summer we’ll evaluate and decide what to do.”

Newcastle consider Tonali a key player, meaning any potential transfer would require a major financial offer. Current reports suggest the asking price is no less than €80 million, with the figure expected to rise further for direct Premier League rivals such as Arsenal.

However, one key factor could influence the situation: if Newcastle fail to qualify for European competitions next season, Tonali could push for a move at a slightly lower valuation.

Serie A Dream: Milan, Juventus, Napoli — or Others?

Despite his agent publicly stating there is no preferred destination, Tonali’s personal ambition appears more defined. After three years away from Italy — following a move he accepted “for the good of Milan” — his priority is returning to Serie A and playing for a top Italian club.

A return to Milan would be his ideal scenario, but the Rossoneri have not shown concrete interest so far. Any potential deal would also be complicated given the recent history between the clubs and the circumstances surrounding his departure.

If not Milan, several top clubs have already shown interest. Juventus, Arsenal, and Napoli are currently the most active suitors, although the list of interested clubs is believed to be longer.

Juventus attempted to sign him both last summer and this winter, but Newcastle never opened negotiations. Napoli have considered him despite operating with a balanced transfer budget, while Arsenal began their pursuit in January and are reportedly planning midfield reinforcements.

Salary Gap: The Biggest Obstacle to an Italian Return

Beyond transfer fees and sporting ambitions, salary could be the decisive factor. To return to Italy, Tonali would likely need to accept a pay cut.

For example, Juventus’ new wage structure is expected to be aligned with Kenan Yildiz’s upcoming renewal, which should be worth around €6 million per year — roughly €3 million less than Tonali currently earns in England when bonuses are included.

For now, Tonali remains fully focused on Newcastle’s season. But with summer approaching, his future — and the possibility of a long-awaited Serie A return — could soon become one of the biggest stories of the transfer window.

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