Sandro Tonali’s Tyneside visit pushed back as Newcastle United prepare imminent announcement

Sandro Tonali will be officially announced as a Newcastle United player today, NewcastleWorld understands. But, as first reported by this website on Saturday, the Italian midfielder isn’t expected to arrive on Tyneside until Wednesday.

A £52million plus add-ons deal for Tonali was first agreed around 10 days ago when Magpies sporting director Dan Ashworth and head of recruitment Steve Nickson flew to Milan to hold face-to-face talks.

The structure of the transfer, which includes a 10 per cent sell-on clause to AC Milan, was thrashed out before Nickson joined Tonali’s agent on a chartered flight to Cluj-Napoca in Romania, where the midfielder was based for the under-21s Euros with Italy.

It was there Tonali underwent medical tests and agreed personal terms on a reported six-year contract. The initial plan was for Tonali to fly to the North East on Monday following Italy’s group stage exit from the European Championships, however that visit was pushed back 48 hours.

It is our understanding Newcastle are preparing a club statement that confirms Tonali’s arrival today ahead of introducing the midfielder to the club’s training ground and St James’ Park for the first time on Wednesday.

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The Italian’s imminent arrival has brought lots of excitement to Tyneside as head coach Eddie Howe strengthens his squad ahead of a return to Champions League football.

After joining from Brescia in 2020, Tonali made 130 appearances for Milan, helping the club win their first Scudetto in 11 years as well as reaching the semi-finals of the Champions League for the first time since 2007 last season.

Tonali has also been capped by Italy 14 times, all of which have come under former Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini.