Newcastle Set to Offer Key Star a Massive New Contract as Ross Wilson’s Top Priority Revealed
As Newcastle United’s new sporting director, Ross Wilson’s top goal will be to sign Sandro Tonali to a new deal, safeguard the Italian from a devastating raid, and determine when an extension could be concluded, according to insiders.
Wilson was the ideal option to head the Newcastle board’s hiring and athletic strategy, but he left Nottingham Forest after the Magpies activated a clause in his contract.
The 41-year-old’s appointment will also immediately reduce Eddie Howe’s burden, since the Toon manager had been covering that department throughout the summer after Paul Mitchell left.
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Wilson will manage current contracts in addition to working with Howe to find prospective targets for the future and secure any possible relocation to Tyneside.
And according to our transfer correspondent Dean Jones, one of his main goals will be to prevent the club’s best players—midfielders Bruno Guimaraes and Tonali, as well as full-back Tino Livramento—from being enticed away.
Even though Tonali’s current contract has 34 months left on it, Wilson is likely to make him a top priority right away because it doesn’t expire until 2028.
Jones told TEAMtalk, “They can start more properly planning for what comes next now that it’s become official that Ross Wilson will be joining Newcastle, which has been known for a while.” Sandro Tonali’s future is reportedly going to be one of the topics discussed.
He has been connected to returning to Italy, but I’m not really convinced that’s likely to happen. First, there’s the money aspect of it; I don’t think the clubs listed could afford him.
His return to Italy has been mentioned. Tonali, who moved from AC Milan to Newcastle in July 2023 for €70 million (£55 million, $79 million), was just crowned the Premier League’s finest midfielder by Paul Scholes, surpassing both Declan Rice of Arsenal and Moises Caicedo of Chelsea, who was playing well.
The Italian has already made 66 club appearances, contributing five assists and seven goals.
Considered essential to the team’s success, Newcastle wants to give Tonali a better contract to reflect his status and make sure they don’t risk letting him expire his contract and leaving them vulnerable to a player being enticed away.
Juventus is one of Tonali’s fans, and he has been linked to a return to Italy despite his high worth.
However, Jones previously stated that he does not believe the major teams in Serie A could afford to sign the 28-cap Azzurri midfielder.
“I do have some reservations about just how possible that will be,” Jones said of Sandro Tonali’s rumoured comeback to Italian football. “I don’t think most teams will be able to handle the financial ramifications of it.”
I’ve seen Juventus suggested, but I’m not sure if they could actually become engaged in something like that since it would really rely on the terms.
In his first interview since taking the job, Wilson, meanwhile, called Newcastle a “special club.”
“This is such a unique club, and I completely understand the drive, aspirations, and expectations of our amazing supporters, as well as the ambition and desire of our ownership to continue making Newcastle United even better,” Wilson said.
In addition to having regular interaction with Eddie Howe and David Hopkinson, my discussions with ownership have been very favourable.
We already feel like we’re developing a strong sense of trust, unity, and alignment, and we think that working as a team will be crucial as we continue to advance the club.
Finding possible new players will be one of Wilson’s top priorities, and Kobbie Mainoo, a standout for Manchester United, has been connected to a move to St. James’ Park in recent weeks.
Under Ruben Amorim, the 20-year-old has slipped in the hierarchy and is probably looking to make a move in January to improve his chances of making England’s World Cup team. Neither of Thomas Tuchel’s last two squads had included him.
Although Mainoo is “committed to the club,” according to insiders, Newcastle is one of three Premier League teams that may try to get the 10-time England midfielder on loan in the upcoming season.
Marc Guehi, an England player Newcastle made a serious attempt to buy in the summer of 2024, is another player being mentioned as a potential target once more.
Fabrizio Romano has now mentioned the Magpies as a possible choice while giving the most recent information on the Crystal Palace star’s next course of action.
Last but not least, Howe’s team has been cited in Spanish publications as a serious contender to sign a disgruntled Barcelona player who is currently at a “crossroads” in his career, warning Newcastle of what must happen first.
