🚨 “i saw him sad” – sandro tonali’s agent reveals the newcastle decision that left him devastated

Sandro Tonali endured difficult start at Newcastle, says agent

Sandro Tonali’s early days at Newcastle United were far from straightforward, with his agent Beppe Risso revealing that the midfielder found his first few weeks on Tyneside “extremely difficult”.

Tonali joined Newcastle in 2023 after the club agreed a £55 million deal with AC Milan for the highly rated 23-year-old. Leaving the San Siro was not an easy decision for the Italian, who had built a strong connection with the Milan club and its supporters.

According to Risso, Tonali initially struggled to adjust to his new surroundings and the challenge of moving to a different country and league. However, the midfielder eventually settled and fully embraced the opportunity at Newcastle.

He made an immediate impact on his debut, scoring just six minutes into Newcastle’s impressive 5-1 victory over Aston Villa. His goal and energetic performance quickly made him a favourite among the club’s supporters.

However, Tonali’s promising start was followed by a major setback later that year when he received a 10-month ban from football after admitting to breaches relating to illegal gambling.

Newcastle continued to support the midfielder throughout his suspension. Tonali remained involved with his teammates in training before eventually making an emotional return to competitive football in August 2024.

Since returning, the Italian has played an important role for Eddie Howe’s side. He helped Newcastle secure Champions League qualification and was also a key figure in their Carabao Cup triumph over Liverpool in March 2025.