Sandro Tonali to complete Newcastle United switch as Magpies consider next move

Newcastle United are close to completing the signing of Sandro Tonali after the AC Milan and Italy star suffered an early exit from the European Under-21 Championships on Wednesday.

The Magpies agreed a fee believed to be worth an initial £55million with the Serie A giants last week and have already agreed personal terms with the 14-times capped Italy international and his representatives. However, the completion of one of what could be one of the most transformative transfers conducted by United in a number of years has been held up as Tonali represented Italy at the European Under-21 Championships.

The 23-year-old midfielder provided an assist as his side opened up their campaign with a 2-1 defeat against France before setting up Internazionale defender Lorenzo Pirola to score in a 3-2 win against Switzerland. But a 1-0 defeat against Norway on Wednesday ensured the young Azzurri were unable to progress through the group stage and brought a premature end to a tournament that promised so much.

The defeat has provided an unexpected boost for Newcastle as it has enabled Tonali to travel to Tyneside and put the finishing touches to a deal that will see him join Alexander Isak as the most expensive signing in the club’s history. Tonali is unlikely to join his new Magpies team-mates when Eddie Howe’s squad return to pre-season training next week as he is granted additional time to recover from international duty.

Newcastle will now consider their next move in the transfer market as they look to bolster Howe’s ranks ahead of one of the most exciting seasons in the club’s recent history. The Magpies remain in negotiations with former Premier League rivals Southampton over a deal for England Under-21 full-back Tino Livramento, with United winger Ryan Fraser said to be heading in the other direction - although the move is complicated by a sizable sell-on clause negotiated by Chelsea when they sold the youngster to the Saints last summer.

A centre-back, left-back, midfielder and a forward are also on United’s wishlist for the summer and they remain interested in RB Leipzig star Dominik Szoboszlai, who is also said to be a target for Liverpool. The Magpies have also been linked with Fenerbahce midfielder Arda Guler and Arsenal defender Kieran Tierney, although the latter is believed to now be edging towards remaining at the Emirates Stadium.

United will also try and trim their squad and several players have been linked with a move away from St James Park in recent days with goalkeeper Karl Darlow said to be drawing interest from Championship clubs Middlesbrough, Leeds United, Blackburn Rovers and Hull City. West Ham United have been suggested as a possible suitor for Magpies captain Jamaal Lascelles and Javier Manquillo is drawing interest from La Liga duo Getafe and Girona after reportedly being told he is free to leave the club this summer.

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