Newcastle United fans are confident they now have a 'scary midfield' after the club confirmed the signing of Sandro Tonali. The AC Milan star's transfer to Tyneside was finally announced on Monday, with the Italy international signing a contract until 2028.
Tonali will provide Eddie Howe with a host of new tactical options in midfield while adding to the club's depth in the engine room alongside Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton. The Newcastle head coach hailed the latest signing as an 'exceptional talent', and perhaps crucially a 'great fit' for a team which has enjoyed great success so far with a new front-foot approach.
Sporting director Dan Ashworth and head of recruitment Steve Nickson were both pictured in Milan last month as negotiations with the Serie A giants progressed swiftly. The transfer itself was held up by Tonali's involvement in the under-21s European Championships, which ended with the Azzurri suffering a surprise group-stage exit.
The Toon Army were awaiting confirmation of the deal understood to be worth at least £55 million for more than a week, and expressed delight and relief at the long-awaited announcement. Here is how Newcastle fans responded to the news that Tonali was now a United player.
READ MORE: Sandro Tonali's first words as a Newcastle United player as 'excited' star aims to 'repay' Howe
@rennie_mjr: "Brilliant signing. Welcome to the Toon, Sandro."
@PinsNPrints: "What a midfield trio we have now, doesn't get much better than that!"
@NUFCLC: "Thank goodness for that. Welcome Sandro!!!!!!"
@SuperDan89: "TOON-ALI! Welcome to NUFC"
@unsynq: "Tonali, Joelinton & Bruno is a scary midfield. I could cry, I need a beer."
@HoltzvonHoltzer: "Well if you can't get Hamza Choudary over the line I guess he'll do."