Sandro Tonali is expected to become Newcastle United's first summer signing in a deal worth around €70m (£63m). The AC Milan fanbase are heartbroken to lose the 23-year-old, while there is palpable excitement on Tyneside over such a significant signing.
Newcastle's transfer priority was always a midfielder this summer as fans clamour for a player who can take Bruno Guimaraes' place at the base of Eddie Howe's midfield. Many believe Tonali is the man to fill such a role but the Serie A star and Italian international will offer a lot more than simply sweeping up in behind and allowing Guimaraes to roam forward.
Tonali featured predominantly as a defensive midfielder as he caught the eye of Europe's elite while at Brescia, though since moving to the San Siro and featuring for his boyhood club, his role has changed somewhat. The Italy international, who will captain the U21 side at the upcoming European Championships, is now known more for his box-to-box exploits.
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Tonali has still been deployed at the base of Milan's midfield often, in a pivot with Ismael Bennacer, but his dribbling and passing ability means he can also occupy a more attacking role. Italy boss Roberto Mancini has often used the £63m man in a deep-lying role or on the left of a midfield three.
Tonali is a physical presence but also an asset from set pieces. His injury record is also all but spotless and he has never missed more than two matches in a row since arriving at AC Milan.
The youngster was previously compared to Italian juggernaut Andrea Pirlo, mainly because of the long, sweeping locks found on both men. Pirlo played down any footballing comparison between the two but previously heaped praise on Tonali's ability.
“He is very good but he is different from me on the pitch," the ex-Juventus coach said when Tonali was at Brescia. “He has everything to be a champion but he is more a midfielder for a two-man midfield. He could already play for a great team; he is the best in this league.”
Meanwhile, Milan legend Demetrio Albertini has compared midfielder Tonali to former Juventus and Italy stalwart Antonio Conte. “A midfielder who plays for the team and has top individual traits, he is box-to-box," he said in 2022.
The truth is Tonali can play in a number of midfield roles and isn't purely restricted to sitting deep and not joining attacking phases. It's likely both he and Bruno could sit deeper at different times in matches or across the season.
The majority of Newcastle supporters want to see Bruno used as a No 8 more than a No 6, allowing him the freedom to attack more often. As for the players currently at Newcastle, the competition for places will only get harder.
Joe Willock, Sean Longstaff and Joelinton will all be fighting to keep their spot in the middle, with the possibility of another midfield addition signed as well as Tonali. Howe wants a squad capable of fighting on four fronts and will be relishing the thought of having six or seven midfielders fighting it out for three spots.
