It should be a summer of incomings at St James’ Park, with a goalkeeper, centre-back, right winger and striker wanted at the very minimum.
As for outgoings, the club do not need to sell this month from a PSR perspective, unlike 12 months ago where the threat of a points deduction saw us sell Elliot Anderson and Yankuba Minteh.
Away from that, there will always be interest in our star players, but it seems another top performer is going absolutely nowhere after clearing up any exit talks during a new interview away on international duty this week.
That man is Sandro Tonali, who has delighted fans once again with a brilliant response to the Italian media when quizzed on his future.
Tonali’s response to transfer talk
This week, Sky Sports Italia have been asking Sandro Tonali about his future at Newcastle, no doubt trying to get a bite after the media in Italy have constantly linked him with a return to Serie A.
However, Tonali’s reply was exactly what we wanted to hear, with the former AC Milan midfielder explaining why he won’t be leaving Newcastle United anytime soon.
Asked about a potential move by Sky, he replied: “I’m happy where I am now. I’ve found people who care about me, and I care about them.
“I don’t want to break any of the bonds I’ve built. I’ve had a lot of thoughts every day, but right now, I’m happy where I am.”
That last line is telling. Tonali is clearly settled – just watch that NUFC TV clip of a ‘day in the life’ – but also determined to give back to the staff, players and fans who’ve helped him through the toughest period of his career.
Newcastle’s player of 2024/25?
There are a few contenders for this prize. Alexander Isak has been sensational with 33 goal involvements in 42 games, while Dan Burn has delivered consistency and a number of heroic displays in league and cup.
However, I can’t help but feel Tonali has been the glue that’s held us together and the man who transformed our season since moving into that deeper No 6 role.
His pace, reading of the play, ridiculous engine, touch, technique and ability to protect the back four at one end and drive us forward at the other has been a joy to watch.
Even his goal contributions are commendable, offering six goals and three assists from the base of our midfield three.
An incredible footballer who will hopefully stick around for many years to come.
Honestly I’m convinced that Jacob Murphy’s form this season has been at least in part down to Sandro Tonali. There was a moment early in the first half of the Carabao Cup semi final first leg against Arsenal, I think at about 23 minutes but I could be wrong, Jacob Murphy has the ball and is driving down the right flank (this was before JM had stats comparable to De Bruyne). Arsenal have obviously done their homework and the full back is tracking JM’s run the winger has dropped back and Arsenal’s DM, I think it was Partey but he may have been injured but anyway, defensively Arsenal have done a great job, they’ve isolated a “weak link”. JM realising he has nowhere to go cuts back. Now if you were watching on TV and we’re to pause at that moment, he has nowhere to go, is being pressed and his percentage chance of retaining the ball in that situation was very low. All of a sudden Sandro Tonali comes from nowhere, steps into the middle of the 3 Arsenal players, receives a pass from Jacob Murphy, holds off Partey flicks a shirt pass to Tino Livramento who switches play from one side of the pitch to the other and we go from losing the ball and being countered to having a huge space on the other flank. I think for JM that was a lightbulb moment. He may not even have been conscious of it but he now has the confidence that if he is in trouble or loses the ball he has Sandro there to either help him out or put in a tackle and win back possession. I feel like that’s part of the reason he is playing with so much confidence and we’ve seen the result.
Bill Ashby(Quote)
Many a woman has tried to hold off Partey.
Nick(Quote)
LMFAO dude that has made my morning.
Bill Ashby(Quote)