Sandro Tonali's move to Newcastle United is creeping closer with the Italian expected on Tyneside in the coming days. The AC Milan midfielder, 23, has penned a five-year deal with the Magpies and the final formalities are currently being worked out.
Tonali could be in the north east of England as early as Wednesday as Newcastle finalise their first deal of the summer. The player's move has been accelerated after Italy Under-21s suffered a shock group stage exit at the European Championships.
“It was not easy at the start to explain the project, but he is intelligent and understood straight away," Tonali's agent, Beppe Riso, explained on Friday. “We found the best solution for everyone, for Milan and for Sandro, as he is going to have an experience in the NBA of football."
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With the Serie A season finishing in early June and Tonali's recent international exploits, the midfielder is likely to need a short break before pre-season begins. Eddie Howe's players will be back in training in the coming days, with a pre-season friendly with Gateshead pencilled in for Saturday, July 15.
Tonali may not be involved for the local fixture but will get his chance to showcase his talents when Newcastle head to the United States later this month.
Howe's side will take part in the inaugural Premier League Summer Series tournament against three fellow top flight teams. Newcastle face Aston Villa in Philadelphia on July 23, Chelsea in Atlanta on July 26 and Brighton in New Jersey on July 28.
Howe could move to secure new additions before the trip overseas with the Newcastle boss keen to have the bulk of his squad together by the time pre-season rolls around. "Pre-season was hugely important, it always is,” said Howe last year. “That's when you set your marker on how you want to play.
“With that comes a physical cost to the players, so it wasn't a comfortable experience for them. They’re taken out of their comfort zone, they are pushed. That is where the foundations are laid. The attitude to that work was very good, and, I think, we've got fitter as the season has gone on.”
