Sandro Tonali Agent Says Newcastle Move Has Helped Midfielder Settle
Sandro Tonali’s move from Milan to Newcastle United in the summer of 2023 was not an easy departure for a player with deep ties to the Rossoneri, but his agent believes the midfielder has ultimately found his place in English football.
Leaving Milan for a new challenge
Newcastle paid €67m to sign the Italy international, who had grown up supporting Milan and was a key figure in the club’s Serie A title-winning campaign. Tonali had not immediately been convinced about leaving Italy, despite the scale of the Premier League opportunity.
His representative Giuseppe Riso said the decision reflected a feeling that Milan had changed from the club Tonali knew. Riso explained that, after discussions with the player, a move to England came to be viewed as an ambitious next step rather than simply a transfer away from his boyhood club.
- Tonali joined Newcastle from Milan in the 2023 summer window.
- The deal was worth €67m.
- He had supported Milan as a child and helped the club win Serie A.
- Riso felt Milan no longer carried the same identity and atmosphere associated with its past.
Riso described Tonali as brave for taking on the Premier League after becoming one of the central players in Milan’s Scudetto-winning side. In his view, the midfielder saw beyond the immediate difficulty of leaving home and recognised the potential of the challenge.
Early difficulties on Tyneside
The first weeks at Newcastle were particularly hard for Tonali. Riso said the midfielder was unhappy after the move and needed time to become comfortable with his new surroundings, a pattern that had also emerged earlier in his career.
Tonali did not make an instant impact after moving from Brescia to Milan either. That earlier experience of settling into a bigger environment helped provide perspective as he adjusted to English football.
Riso said Tonali eventually took control of the situation at Newcastle and demonstrated his ability on the pitch. The agent’s assessment was that the initial sadness did not prevent the midfielder from establishing himself.
Tottenham transfer brings fresh responsibility
Tonali’s development in England later led to another major move, with Tottenham Hotspur paying €108m for the Italian three years after his Newcastle arrival.
| Transfer | Fee | Timing |
|---|---|---|
| Milan to Newcastle United | €67m | Summer 2023 |
| Newcastle United to Tottenham Hotspur | €108m | Three years later |
Riso said the Tottenham deal carried exceptional pressure because of both the fee and the expectations attached to it. However, he believes Tonali has now accepted the demands of his career in the Premier League after the difficult emotional start that followed his departure from Milan.
Tonali’s adjustment completes a difficult transition
For Riso, Tonali’s route from Brescia to Milan, Newcastle and then Tottenham shows a player capable of overcoming an initially uncomfortable adjustment. The move away from Italy was painful at first, but the midfielder’s agent considers his current position in England to be the right one.
