Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali signed an extension to his contract after he was banned for gambling offences, until 2029, while the Magpies also hold the power to extend his deal by another year until 2030. The midfielder signed for the club in the summer of 2023 but was banned in the October of that year, subsequently missing 10 months of football.
Tonali commits future
Per The Athletic, Tonali approached Newcastle after he was banned in October of 2023, asking if he should take a pay cut because he would not be playing for 10 months. The Magpies are said to have accepted his proposal, but in doing so, also extended his contract until 2029, with the option of adding a further year should they decide to do so. It effectively keeps the Italy international at the club until 2030, meaning Newcastle are in a far stronger position over his future than previously thought, as his deal was reported to be running out in 2028.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesA vital cog
Tonali has become vital to Newcastle under Howe, making 67 appearances in total for the club and providing 12 goal involvements. Howe has essentially fallen in love with the midfielder, and has previously compared him to Serie A legend Andrea Pirlo, insisting that the likeness is "not just the hair".
He said: "When I first saw Sandro play, there were definite links to Pirlo, without a doubt – and it's not just the hair. There's more to it than that.
"He's definitely got those similar qualities in terms of build and style, but I think the thing that sets Sandro apart from anyone else was he could do all of those things technically and tactically, and looked really good, but it's his athleticism as well, his ability to run.
"We've seen that in recent games from a defensive viewpoint now more than an attacking viewpoint, where he's sprinting to put out fires for us, nicking balls, intercepting balls, using his athleticism to track runners. He's been excellent in that respect and think that's really helped the team.
"Yes, there are the obvious ones [comparisons] in terms of his technique and his passing and everything else, but I think that's the thing that sets him apart."
Tonali reflects on 'beautiful' triumph
Tonali played a key role as Newcastle ended a 70-year trophy drought last season by winning the EFL Cup, and he reflected on the "beautiful" moment at the end of the season.
He said: “It was beautiful because it was hard.
“We weren’t the favourites, and we never really have been. We beat Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea. We weren’t the favourites in almost every match, but it was special also because when an unexpected team wins, all eyes turn to them. It was amazing to do it with a team that hadn’t done it in 70 years, with incredible fans.”
He also insisted that he had no plans to leave any time soon, as he is unwilling to burn any bridges.
He added: “I’m happy where I am now. I’ve found people who care about me, and I care about them. I don’t want to break any of the bonds I’ve built."
Getty Images SportWhat comes next?
Newcastle face Fulham this weekend as they look to put together some form in the Premier League. They currently sit 14th in the table, having won just two of their first eight games of the campaign.
The Magpies beat Jose Mourinho's Benfica in the Champions League in midweek, however, and the Portuguese insists the club deserve to be sitting far higher in the table.
He said: "I know what Newcastle and all the Geordies want is bigger than the League Cup, but it's the beginning. To play in the Champions League is another very important step and I think the club goes in the right direction.
"Many clubs with new owners and fresh money make lots of wrong decisions with lots of ups and downs. Newcastle, since the moment they have the new ownership, Eddie [Howe], they change sporting directors for obvious reasons, but lots of stability.
"With the profile of players, I never see a player that Newcastle get that doesn't fit the model. They do things really well. That's why they are where they are. I congratulate Eddie, the club and the fans."