According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Chelsea had a strong interest in securing the signing of AC Milan star Sandro Tonali before Newcastle United entered the picture.
The London club presented multiple proposals to AC Milan, even offering a selection of players for the Italian club to choose from. However, Newcastle has made a substantial financial offer, potentially altering the course of negotiations.
However, given the high demand for top-quality midfielders in the Premier League, some clubs may have considered pursuing the 23-year-old player. Chelsea had quietly expressed their interest in Tonali over time but had not made it public.
Behind-the-scenes talks were reportedly conducted with AC Milan, similar to the discussions that have taken place between the two clubs in recent years.
Sandro Tonali and Newcastle have now reached agreement on personal terms for €8m salary net per season plus €2m add-ons. ⚪️⚫️ #NUFC
Contract will be valid until June 2029, waiting for the two clubs to complete their final agreement on €70m deal structure/add-ons. pic.twitter.com/4GriT0frZ7
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 22, 2023
Chelsea had shown a long-standing interest in signing Rafael Leao and may have explored the possibility of a deal involving Tonali during those negotiations.
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The club reportedly offered a choice of players, including Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Cesare Casadei, and Christian Pulisic, as part of the deal, with AC Milan showing interest in these options. However, in a recent development, Newcastle United has moved closer to securing Tonali’s signature.
Newcastle presented a substantial offer of €70 million and is willing to provide the 23-year-old midfielder with an annual wage package of €10 million.
This includes a net salary of €8 million per season with an additional €2 million in add-ons. It is a highly lucrative offer for Tonali, who is now expected to join the Magpies.
For Chelsea, this outcome is disappointing as they had the opportunity to acquire the Italian international on favorable terms while also offloading surplus players.
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If Milan had accepted their proposal, it would have been seen as a wise move. Ultimately, Newcastle emerged as the clear victors in the pursuit of Tonali and are now preparing for his medical tests.
