Paolo Di Canio names the Serie A player he can ‘see’ joining Sandro Tonali at Newcastle United

Former Italy international Paolo Di Canio believes Sandro Tonali will perform the No.8 role in Newcastle United’s team.

The Magpies are on the verge of signing the central midfielder from AC Milan after agreeing a reported £60million transfer fee following face-to-face talks at the Palazzo Parigi Hotel last week.

United head of recruitment Steve Nickson flew to Romania, where Tonali is based with Italy under-21s for the European Championships, from Milan on Friday alongside the player’s agents Giuseppe Riso and Marianna Mecaccci.

It’s understood the 23-year-old has agreed a six-year contract, worth £6.8m plus bonuses per season. Tonali should be officially unveiled as Newcastle player before the end of the week.

When Newcastle’s interest in Tonali first became public, many believed he would replace Bruno Guimaraes in the No.6 role and free up the Brazilian to play further forward.

However, Di Canio believes Tonali is more suited to Sean Longstaff’s position.

“I hope Tonali explodes soon, but he will find a physical football, with more pace. Potentially he will replace [Sean] Longstaff,” Di Canio told Sky Sport Italia.

“Tonali is accustomed to playing in a 4-2-3-1 system and will need to adapt [to 4-3-3] and understand. Newcastle have a clear view.

“They have signed an established player who has already won the Serie A. He is already a leader, he has played in the Champions League and Newcastle have the ambition to play at these levels for a long time.”

Di Canio has tipped Tonali, who helped Milan to their first Scudetto in 11 years in 2021-22, to become a future captain at St James’ Park.

“He won’t be a regular starter, there will be rotations and we can already predict it,” the former Sunderland manager continued.

“Perhaps, he will become the captain and the leader in one year, but initially he will be one of the four-five midfielders that will rotate because the Premier League is very demanding and Newcastle will play in the most important competition in Europe.”

Meanwhile, Di Canio believes Juventus forward Federico Chiesa would be a good signing for Newcastle.

United were credited with an interest in Chisea and AC Milan defender Theo Hernandez by Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio.

“I see Chiesa in Newcastle’s from three, provided that he’s the one we saw at the Euros,” said Di Canio.

“He is a devastating player on the wing, especially on counter-attacks. I imagine Chiesa on the left and he could be devastating with Isak up front.”