Newcastle United “know they need to replace Sandro Tonali” after the midfielder was banned for ten months, according to reports.
Tonali joined Newcastle from AC Milan for about £55 million during the summer transfer window. The Magpies are sixth in the 2023 Premier League net expenditure rankings.
Tonali’s Premier League career has yet to begin, and he is now poised to miss the rest of the season.
It was discovered earlier this month that he is involved in the Italian football betting scandal, and he is now going to be banned for ten months after his attorneys arranged a plea bargain with authorities.
In recent weeks, Newcastle have been widely connected with Manchester City’s Kalvin Phillips, and journalist Graeme Bailey believes he is their “main option” to replace Tonali.
“Newcastle understands the importance of replacing Tonali. Another DM/number eight wasn’t in the cards in January, according to Bailey on the Talking Transfers podcast.
“FFP is still a significant issue in Newcastle.” They’re already in the red when it comes to FFP, so what will they do in January? I believe they will need a loan deal to replace Tonali. Because of FFP, they had to do it with Lewis Hall.
“There are loan options for these players, with Kalvin Phillips being the main one, and City would let him out on loan.” City wants to sell him, but a loan with a view would be beneficial to all parties.”
Phillips has scarcely played for Man City since joining from Leeds United for £42 million last year, and he recently stated that he has a “decision to make” about his future ahead of January.
“I know I need to play games and compete every weekend.” “I’ll have to make a decision about [my future] in the coming months,” Phillips told reporters.
“He [Gareth Southgate] just says that for me to keep my spot, I have to be playing games,” he added. That’s exactly what I intend to accomplish. On this, I agree with Gareth.
“I want to play football and play as much as I can.” I haven’t been able to do it for the past year and a half owing to injuries and [other issues].
“It’s something I’ll have to think about.” Hopefully, my opportunity will come, but if it does not, I will have to make other alternatives.”
