Newcastle United star Anthony Gordon believes the Magpies have made a statement signing by securing AC Milan star Sandro Tonali. The Italian midfielder is poised to complete his Tyneside switch in the coming days after agreeing a six-year deal at St James' Park.
Tonali's Italy U21 side suffered a shock group stage exit at the European Championships last week, accelerating the player's Newcastle transfer. Gordon remains with England U21s as Lee Carsley's men go deep in the competition.
Speaking on international duty, the Newcastle forward was quizzed over the impending arrival of Tonali and admits a deal of this magnitude shows the direction Eddie Howe's side are travelling.
READ MORE: Newcastle United alerted to Yannick Carrasco's unsettled situation with Atletico Madrid
“I knew him from his early days at Brescia. I remember seeing some clips of him before he went to Milan," the attacker said.
“He has excelled and is one of the top midfielders in the world. It shows the direction we [Newcastle United] are going in. I’m really looking forward to playing with him.”
Tonali will soon be holding the famous black and white strip aloft but his agent, Beppe Riso, admits the 23-year-old needed the Newcastle project explained to him before leaving his beloved Milan.
Riso, speaking to reporters in Italy, said: "It was not easy at the start to explain the project, but he is intelligent and understood straight away. We found the best solution for everyone, for Milan and for Sandro."
Gordon, meanwhile, has been in flying form for England, excelling in a new role as a central striker. The youngster helped himself to an assist and a disallowed goal in the Young Lions' opening group game, before scoring again in the second.
