Sandro Tonali has admitted that he has thoughts of returning to AC Milan some day, given his obvious attachment to his boyhood club.
Tonali joined from Brescia in the 2021 summer transfer window and he quickly became a fan favourite because of his Rossoneri faith. The Italian midfielder’s performances grew and he scored some crucial goals in the 2021-22 Scudetto season.
Then, the decision was made to sell him to Newcastle in 2023, when the cash-rich Premier League side submitted an offer that constituted a record sale for Milan. There has been talk of him returning one day, though nothing too serious or concrete.
Tonali did an interview with the insert ‘U’ in La Repubblica, after speaking yesterday about rejecting Inter and Paolo Maldini’s phone call. His comments have been relayed by MilanNews.
As a potential captain and symbol of Milan, you were sold to Newcastle. Does the football with ‘bandieras’ no longer exist?
“It is difficult, you cannot decide alone. It is a world with a lot of money: for the players and for the clubs. When you say no, there must also be a no from the club. In negotiations it is difficult for there to be two nos or two yeses: there is always a yes and a no.
“In the big teams, with a lot of money at stake, the flag becomes a utopia. With my transfer, on one hand I took away and on the other I gave, helping Milan to keep the accounts in the black.”
Has the English experience enriched you?
“Not just economically. I grew up and discovered a new country, a new football and a new language. I have no regrets. The idea of returning to Milan one day is there, but it’s not the thought when I wake up in the morning.”
You were born on the same day as Franco Baresi, May 8…
“Forty years later, he was born in 1960 and I was born in 2000: a rare coincidence. The few times I wore the captain’s armband for Milan I remember them all.
“Against Empoli, Torino in the Coppa Italia, against Chelsea in the Champions League. A couple of quick jokes with Franco, about this, slipped out.”
In January there was talk of a return to Italy, but to Juventus…
“I have never spoken about it with my agents. And I know, from experience, that if you don’t get to that point there is nothing concrete.
“And in any case I am happy with myself here, I have found my line and there is no need to upset it again. I want to win for the Newcastle fans, soon we will have the first opportunity at Wembley.”
Just stay in the UK until the contract runs out and then come back. Win-win for all. 🙂
Swap Leao for Tonali + 30M. Then use the 30M to find Leao’s replacement.
He could be our Jesus Navas. Leave for the money and come back for free. This is the way!
“When you say no, there must also be a no from the club.”
🍿
Nah Ted there would be selective blindness to this particular statement.
Word on the forum is that Tonali is a degenerate, thrash or average, gambling addict sellout and he did not stand his grounds like Barella did at inter. And that this ownership and by their extension their management could not sell him if he said no.
Like they could not also twist his doings to make him the villain or just outright agree to sell him, or guilt trip him into saying it’s helping the club and overlook his willingness to stay.
A perfect sum up.
A lot more casinos in Italy and easyer to gamble…thats what he is thinking lol
Tonali Reijnders Fofana – potentially the best midfield in Serie A
I’d replace Fofana with Ricci. Then we are talking about the best midfield in Serie A.
I agree. Tonali Reijnders Ricci would be next level.
I thought you and Dejan10 agreed back then Tonali was average or as you would call players who are not good Tonali 2.0
Where is this talk now coming from that Tonali would make one half of the best midfield in the club, or even more so in the entire league.
What am I missing. Are you backtracking now??
We don’t need tonali we need straight DM
‘and on the other I gave, helping Milan to keep the accounts in the black.’
Exactly what I said after the transfer. He knew this transfer would help Milan financially.
We could have world class midfield with Tonali-Ricci as pivots and Reijnders as AM for an amount of 50 to 60 millions.
Now we have Reijnders, Musah, RLC, Fofana, Bondo for 90 millions.
Genius move from Gerry and Les Incompétents.
Realistically for 20M, not 90. You can’t exclude sales.
And that is how the are playing, like a 20M midfield.
Exactly what i have in my Fifa Manager mode lineup….Tonali and Ricci as my pivots. Wish that could be real right now. But i agree 100% with you!
won’t happen, he’s Italian, he’s Maldini’s, he won last scudeto, he has PL salary, too many reason current management not to sign him even for free + player will
You are always welcome Sandro, hope to see you soon