‘The very best’ - How Call of Duty is bizarrely saving Newcastle United’s £130m transfer masterplan

Bruno Guimaraes has revealed he played Call of Duty with Sandro Tonali to help him through his darkest Newcastle United hour.

The Italian returned to Toon action last week following a 10-month lay-off for breaching betting regulations. An impressive showing against Nottingham Forest on his comeback was followed up with a 22-minute cameo in the 2-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur.

Newcastle supporters and those within the club have backed Tonali throughout his ban - and he is eager to repay the faith. The Magpies stumped up £55million to sign the midfielder last year and know the best is yet to come following the international break.

Throughout his suspension, fans purred at the thought of Tonali linking up alongside Guimaraes and Joelinton in the Newcastle engine room. The £130million trio started just four Premier League games before the former AC Milan star picked up his lengthy ban.

Speaking to Sky Sports, new captain Guimaraes joked how Tonali is the club’s “best signing” and explained how he struck up an off-field bond with his teammate. He said: "Sandro is a good guy. I think we missed him a lot. I think since he came, we were trying to get him close to us. 

“We've got a good friendship, me and him. We play a lot of Call of Duty together on PS5. We are always trying to do things together. I know how this moment was tough for him being out of the pitch. 

“When you see a player fit, but he couldn't play to help you, I imagine in his head how it was. It was a lovely moment for him in the last game. He came in and did very well. For this season, we didn't signed anyone so far. He's going to be our best signing. It's important to have him back and we're wishing him all the very best for the club."