Newcastle submit mega Sandro Tonali transfer bid as Liverpool enter Nicolo Barella battle

Reports suggest Newcastle have launched a £45million bid for AC Milan’s Sandro Tonali as they seek to bolster their midfield options in the summer transfer window. It appears Eddie Howe’s side have now turned attention to the 23-year-old Italy international after struggling to entice Inter Milan into the sale of Nicolo Barella.

Barella had been identified as a top summer target by the Magpies but Inter were not overly keen on a sale and would demand upwards of £70m to sanction his departure.

Now The Athletic are reporting that Newcastle have launch a proposal for Tonali, sending a £45m bid directly to AC Milan as they seek to execute a blockbuster window ahead of the return of Champions League football.

The Magpies are looking for a No 6 to take their midfield to the next level as Howe looks to push Bruno Guimaraes further up the field.

Newcastle remain in talks over a contract extension for the Brazilian international, who could be set to become their highest-ever paid player.

Yet the prospect of pairing Tonali in midfield alongside Guimaraes and compatriot Joelinton is now a proposition that will leave Newcastle supporters drooling at the mouth.

Tonali helped AC Milan reach the Champions League semi-finals this season and won the Serie A title with the Rossoneri in 2022 under Stefano Pioli.

The 23-year-old is also a regular at international level with Italy having won 14 caps for the Azzurri.

He first made a name for himself at Brescia who he helped fire to the Serie B title back in 2019.

The report also suggests that Chelsea are interested in Tonali as Mauricio Pochettino targets the signings of several midfielders.

Chelsea are set to offload Mason Mount, Mateo Kovacic and N’Golo Kante this summer meaning they will need to sign suitable replacements.

The Blues and Liverpool are also thought to be in the race for Barella meaning Inter’s resolve could be seriously put to the test in the summer window.

Newcastle boss Howe recently downplayed suggestions the Magpies would be shelling out huge fees in the summer window as they need to remain in compliance with FFP.

He said: “We’ve got work to do, we’ve got work to do to be ready, we know that. There’s a big task ahead of us, but I’m confident we can do it.

“It’s going to be important for us, we have got to try to get it right and that’s going to underpin our success, really. I think we’ve been really, really good in the three transfer windows so far since I’ve been here.

“The challenge gets harder and more difficult because, now we’ve become a better team, there are fewer players who would make us better, so it’s going to be a big window for us.

“It won’t be huge numbers – I don’t think it can be. We don’t have the ability to spend the money that people will think we have, so we’re going to have to be smart.

“It will be a small group of players, but hopefully ones that can make the difference.”