How Tonali's Newcastle transfer could HELP Chelsea

Updated: 22 Jun 2023 20:14 BST
3 min read

Sandro Tonali with Chelsea and Newcastle badges — © ProShots

Chelsea are set to miss out on Sandro Tonali with the Italy midfielder joining Newcastle from AC Milan instead. But it could be a blessing in disguise for the Blues.

Chelsea held an interest in the Milan midfielder with N'Golo Kante and Mateo Kovacic both leaving Stamford Bridge this summer, for Al-Ittihad and Manchester City respectively.

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But now Newcastle have reportedly agreed terms with the 23-year-old, with the Magpies and Milan negotiating final details on a transfer fee which should total approximately €70 million.

READ: Sandro Tonali: Why Chelsea failed in their bid to sign Newcastle-bound star

It comes as a bitter blow for Chelsea, but the transfer windfall for Milan could end of being spent on some of the West London club's dead wood, with Christian Pulisic top of the Rossoneri's shopping list.

"Pulisic has become a real market opportunity for Milan," report Calciomercato. "Pulisic and Milan have been talking for weeks and the admiration is mutual. Tonali's sale has freed up the funds for Milan to meet the American's €4m a season salary demands."

© ProShots - Pulisic has sometimes struggled to recreate his USMNT form with Chelsea.

READ: 'He needs to go!' Former Chelsea star thinks Pulisic must leave

Budget deal for Pulisic?

Pulisic is valued at €34.4m by FootballTransfers' in-house algorithm, but it is understood Chelsea would accept around €23m as they look to get the USMNT's star player off their wage bill.

Milan are reportedly also interested in Chelsea youngster Carney Chukwuemeka, but he may only be available on loan with new manager Mauricio Pochettino yet to give his appraisal on the England youth international.

Chelsea paid Borussia Dortmund €64m for Pulisic's services in January 2019, before loaning him back to the Bundesliga side for the rest of that season.

He has since scored 26 goals and added 21 assists in 145 games in all competitions, winning the Champions League on 2021 - although he fell out with then coach Thomas Tuchel that season.

Chelsea have already agreed to offload six players this summer, with Kovacic and Kai Havertz staying in England with Man City and Arsenal respectively, while Kalidou Koulibaly, Edouard Mendy and Hakim Ziyech are all expected to follow Kante to Saudi Arabia.