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Analysis
- 2 hours ago
Newcastle 'worried' about Isak saga repeat for €116m star as 'dream' transfer emerges
Suraj Radia
- 19 Mar 2026 17:09 GMT
- 5 min read
News
Newcastle are reportedly becoming ‘increasingly worried and frustrated’ that Sandro Tonali could push for an exit this summer and provide a repeat of last year’s Alexander Isak situation.
Tonali’s agent spoke this week of the 25-year-old’s ‘dream’ to play for a major European side amid links to the likes of Arsenal and Manchester United and the midfielder is expected to command significant interest this summer.
Current ETV
Sandro Tonali
DM, M (C)
Newcastle
Sandro Tonali
DM, M (C)
Newcastle
ETV Range
€53.1M - €64.8M
Although Tonali has more than three years remaining on his contract, Newcastle are aware that Isak was in a similar circumstance last summer, only for the Swedish international to go on strike and force an eventual move to Liverpool.
Tonali is not believed to be agitating to leave St James’ Park as of yet but his representatives are doing work in the background and TEAMtalk report that Newcastle are ‘far from happy’ about the noise being created.
The Magpies are said to be ‘irritated’ by the constant speculation surrounding their players, with reports claiming this week that captain Bruno Guimaraes is also ‘in advanced talks’ to join Man Utd.
Newcastle are aiming to deter the interest in Tonali by slapping a price tag of £100 million (€116m) on him and hope the high valuation will prevent another Isak problem from developing this summer.
Contact made over Tonali transfer as Newcastle prepare for major interest
Tonali joined Newcastle in 2023 for €60m to become the most expensive Italian player of all time and he has established himself as one of the best midfielders in the Premier League since returning from a nine-month ban for betting offences in 2024.
While Tonali is believed to prefer a return to Italy, his price tag and wage demands make such a move unrealistic and the strongest interest appears to be materialising from the Premier League, with United, Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City all reportedly having contact with the player’s representatives this month.
City and United are thought to be pushing the hardest for Tonali although their interest will largely be dependent on movement with other targets such as Elliot Anderson, as well as potential departures from each club.
For Newcastle, speculation continues to intensify over Tonali and Guimaraes as well as Anthony Gordon, Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall, all of whom have been linked with moves this summer.
While there is acknowledgement that one star player may be sold this summer, Newcastle are adamant that they will not sanction a ‘fire sale’ for their top guns and have described talk of a summer clear out as ‘nonsense’.
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