Sandro Tonali has agreed a six-year contract with Newcastle United and his blockbuster transfer from AC Milan is expected to be completed in the coming days. The Italy international is set to feature against Romania in the under-21s European Championships on Sunday evening, with the finer details of a transfer worth at least £55 million due to be ironed out in the following days.
Eddie Howe has clearly prioritised the addition of an 'elite' midfielder to the Magpies' ranks ahead of their return to the Champions League next season. The mid-season departure of Jonjo Shelvey left United short in the centre of the park, with late injuries to the likes of Sean Longstaff and Joe Willock creating a selection dilemma during the run-in.
Newcastle needed a 'number six' capable of sitting at the base of the midfield trio, either to rotate with Bruno Guimaraes or to release the Brazil international further forward. However, the impending arrival of Tonali and the stats from his latest season suggests the Magpies may have ticked more than one box when it comes to the 23-year-old.
The Italy international long compared to Andrea Pirlo is more than just a defensive midfielder. Tonali played the most matches for AC Milan last season (48), racking up the most minutes played (3,983), while creating the most chances (90) and winning the most tackles (56) for his team.
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In fact, only Rafael Leao registered more assists for the Rossoneri than Tonali's return of nine in all competitions last season. Typically played as one of two deep-lying pivots alongside either Ismael Bennacer or Rade Krunic, the former Brescia prospect statistically fits the mould of the all-action option which has led Guimaraes to making an instant impact in black-and-white.
Tonali created the most chances in Serie A last season (62) out of all players under the age of 23, while also laying on 22 opportunities in the Champions League during Milan's run to the semi-final. Only Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Piotr Zielinski bettered his assists from central midfield in Italy's top-flight last term, while his tally of 62 key passes had him ranked eighth in the division.
Kieran Trippier stood well clear of his Newcastle team-mates when it came to chances created and key passes last season. Tonali seems set to provide a greater threat in the final third from the Magpies midfield, without sacrificing the solidity which saw the team record the joint-best defensive record in the Premier League.
Howe could be tempted to mirror Milan's 4-2-3-1 formation with the signing of Tonali, partnering the latest recruit with Guimaraes and allowing Alexander Isak, Allan Saint-Maximin or another arrival to sit behind the striker. Alternatively, the Italy international could easily slot into the current setup and prove interchangeable in his box-to-box and defensive duties, roles Joelinton and Longstaff have also alternated between.
This versatility will undoubtedly be valued by Newcastle's head coach, especially as he looks to juggle the demands of competing on four fronts next season. Tonali might be viewed by many the ideal candidate to solve the need for a 'number six', but the Magpies are clearly getting so much more than a traditional defensive midfielder.
