Anthony Gordon and Philippe Albert give contrasting verdicts on imminent Newcastle United signing

Newcastle United winger Anthony Gordon and former Magpies star Philippe Albert have given differing views on Sandro Tanoli’s imminent arrival at St James Park.

The Italy international will finally land on Tyneside over the coming days to put the finishing touches to a deal believed to be worth an initial £55million after United persuaded Serie A giants AC Milan to part ways with one of their prize assets.

Gordon, who joined the Magpies in a £40million deal in January, has revealed his delight over the incoming addition and believes it shows the positives steps being taken by the Magpies hierarchy.

Speaking at the pre-match press conference ahead of England Under-21s Euro 2023 quarter-final meeting with Portugal, Gordon said: “I knew him (Tonali) from his early days at Brescia. I remember seeing some clips of him before he went to Milan. He has excelled and is one of the top midfielders in the world. It shows the direction we (Newcastle) are going in. I’m really looking forward to playing with him.”

However, former Magpies favourite Albert believes Tonali is taking a ‘step backwards’ in leaving Milan to move to Tyneside. The Belgian claimed the midfielder will be able to test himself in a ‘stronger’ league by moving to St James Park but insisted his former club are not as strong as the one he will leave.

He told Milan News: “As for the championship, it’s a step forward, the Premier League is certainly stronger. But Milan is still Milan, a club that has won many trophies and that in the 80s was the strongest team with the three Dutchmen, Baresi and Maldini and even later. Newcastle are a great club but currently going from Milan to Newcastle is a step backwards. But when a club is forced to accept offers of 80 million, the player then has to do the same and agree to leave.”