A report on Friday has revealed why Newcastle United have not yet moved to tie Sandro Tonali down to a new long-term contract.
Newcastle United have assembled a squad of fantastic players and have secured the majority with long-term deals to avoid the risk of being forced to sell them or even lose them for nothing.
However, star performer Sandro Tonali is yet to sign a new contract since he signed for the club for £55m in 2023 from AC Milan.
The midfield maestro did pen a five-year contract, so he is tied to the club until 2028, but so was Alexander Isak.
Though the first year of his time at Newcastle was curtailed by a betting suspension, Tonali has returned to action and quickly become essential to Eddie Howe’s side.
Alan Shearer recently called Tonali a ‘beast’, while Manchester United’s legendary midfielder Paul Scholes thinks he’s even better than Declan Rice.
It’s high praise that Tonali is more than deserving of and he will no doubt be attracting some transfer interest in 2026.
Predictable speculation from Italian media once again resurfaced this week with links to Juventus, though no Serie A side could afford Tonali at present.
Yet, some may wonder why Newcastle haven’t yet secured his future for even longer, given the inevitable interest to come from Europe’s elite clubs.
It’s now been revealed that Newcastle are waiting for a new sporting director, hopefully Ross Wilson, to be in place before opening talks.
Newcastle waiting for Ross Wilson appointment before opening Sandro Tonali contract talks
Newcastle have been hunting for a new sporting director since Paul Mitchell’s sudden departure in June and endured a difficult transfer window without one.
Reports on Friday emerged that long-term target Wilson has agreed to join Newcastle, with the Magpies just needing to come to terms with his current club, Nottingham Forest, to seal the switch.
Wilson has signed 43 players over five transfer windows at Forest and is a cunning negotiator, as Newcastle know all too well from the sale of Elliot Anderson and purchase of Anthony Elanga.
But, with a director still not yet at the helm, Newcastle are waiting for Wilson to join before opening talks with Tonali, reports The i News.
It’s reported that the Italian is ‘in line for a new deal if terms can be thrashed out.’
The report added: “Tonali’s contract does not expire until 2028 but Newcastle intend to reward their stars for their part in helping the club’s progression.”
Two more Newcastle United stars are in line for new deals
Tonali isn’t alone in being eyed up for a new contract, with The i’s report adding that Sven Botman and Tino Livramento are in the running for new deals as well.
Livramento, who is facing eight weeks out with a knee injury, has been excellent over the last 18 months and is also contracted until 2028.
The report adds that there is a ‘feeling that Livramento deserves new terms in line with his elevated status’ as an England international.
Manchester City’s interest in the full-back last summer has no doubt prompted them to secure his future even further, too.
Botman, meanwhile, is only signed until 2027 but is starting to show signs of his best form again after a torrid 18 months of injury troubles.
The more new deals Newcastle can get sorted, the more secure they will be.
💙 Follow Us on Facebook
We share updates, news, and helpful posts every day.
Click below to like & follow our page to stay connected!
