Newcastle United seal under-the-radar AC Milan raid — will work closely with Sandro Tonali

Newcastle United have reportedly called upon a familiar face to help £52million summer signing Sandro Tonali settle into life in England.

The 23-year-old has been getting to know his teammates over the last fortnight or so - featuring in the pre-season friendly at Rangers before spending around 10 days in the United States for the Premier League Summer Series.

Tonali gained further minutes against Aston Villa and Chelsea and while Eddie Howe believes the early signs are promising, the Magpies’ head coach insists the Italian will need time to adapt following his move from AC Milan.

“I think it takes time with every new player,” Howe said last week. “There is an adaption period, especially for players who come from different leagues. Sandro will have experienced a higher intensity and quality of opposition during the last two games. He’s getting used to our style and his teammates.”

To aid Tonali’s settling-in period, Italian newspaper La Repubblica claims Andrea Romeo has left his position as team manager at Milan to work closely with the midfielder on Tyneside.

The report reads: “Andrea Romeo is no longer the Milan team manager. The former referee, who had held the role in the Rossoneri management since 2017, joined Sandro Tonali in Newcastle.

“He will be integrated, with the backing of the English club, in the midfielder’s staff to help insert him in the new English reality, after the controversial sale that catapulted him from Milanello to the north of England.”

Perhaps the difference between Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes’ arrival for example is the latter had a fellow countryman in Joelinton to call upon.

Admittedly, Sven Botman is the only Dutchman at the club but was already fluent in English following his £35m move from Lille last summer. Like Guimaraes, Tonali is taking English lessons.