Sandro Tonali departed the San Siro in the summer of 2023, heading to Newcastle United of the English Premier League in a big-money move. The Italian midfielder expressed how difficult it was to leave Milan at the time, but there are now reports suggesting a return to the club could happen in 2025.
Tonali, 25, has struggled since moving to Newcastle, largely because of a long-term ban imposed soon into his career on Tyneside. It’s meant that since joining the Magpies, Tonali has managed less than twenty-five appearances and isn’t always a starter under Eddie Howe.
On arrival at St.James’ Park, Newcastle were a team competing in the Champions League and expected to consistently battle for a top-four finish in England’s top flight. However, they’ve since failed to qualify for European football’s top club competition and the top four, and Premier League betting online suggests they won’t be in the running to achieve the latter this term.
This could work in Milan’s favour, as Newcastle have already been forced to sell players to ensure they comply with profit and sustainability rules, and the Magpies may have to sell another asset in the summer to ensure they remain compliant. Knowing Tonali is wanted by former club Milan and that they’d be willing to pay to reacquire him could open the door to a move happening.
Tonali described leaving the San Siro as the “toughest decision” of his life, and with the club keen to have him back, it’s unlikely the central midfielder will find it easy to reject their advances because of his emotional connection to Milan. It would also allow the Italy international to close the chapter of his life which saw him banned from football for months.
Milan are a team battling for honours in Serie A, and while they have one eye on winning the title, they will be aiming to qualify for the Champions League at a bare minimum. At present, they’re much more likely to be playing in the competition next season than Newcastle are, and this could influence Tonali’s thinking, too.
An obvious stumbling block is that Newcastle signed Tonali for big money and they’re yet to see the best of him. He was brought in with the hope of him becoming a mainstay in the middle of the pitch, and with Tonali contracted until 2028, they’ll not be keen for him to leave anytime soon.
Everything could hinge on how Tonali and Newcastle do this season. Qualifying for European football would financially boost the Magpies, and they wouldn’t be under pressure to sell one of their prized assets. But fail to do so, and they could reluctantly have to. If Tonali fails to impress, too, it could make his departure possible.
