Sandro Tonali, the midfield maestro who snagged a Serie A title, actually felt “sad” for weeks after making the jump from his beloved Milan to Newcastle United, according to his agent. It turns out that a move to the Premier League and eventually to Tottenham Hotspur “proved the right choice,” but that emotional exit from his boyhood club was no walk in the park.
The Rossoneri Heartbreak and a Daring Move
Seriously, the guy grew up a Rossoneri die-hard, supporting Milan from nearby Brescia! So when he got the call to join them, he jumped at it, eventually becoming a key part of the squad that won the Serie A title. That’s why when a “huge offer” hit from Newcastle United, Tonali was hesitant. But his agent, Beppe Riso, didn’t pull any punches, spilling the truth on the Colpi da Maestro podcast. Riso said they made the first move because they “realised that Milan were becoming different,” and the club wasn’t giving off the same “sensations as that historic club.”
Talking it over with Sandro, they figured a Premier League challenge was calling. Riso said Tonali “had courage to go, because he was one of the most important players in the Scudetto-winning side,” calling him a “visionary.” It takes some serious guts to leave your childhood dream team, even when it feels like things are changing.
Settling In and the Mind-Blowing Numbers
That move to England wasn’t exactly smooth sailing at first, either. His representative admits it took a minute for him to settle in Newcastle. “It was very difficult for him, in the first few weeks he was sad,” Riso revealed, “but he got a handle on things and made his mark, as always.” That’s the kind of grit you love to see, right? Digging in when things are tough and still performing.
Then the real shocker dropped. Newcastle paid Milan a reported €67 million plus add-ons in the summer of 2023. But get this: three years later, Tottenham Hotspur shelled out a mind-blowing €108 million to snag the same player! “It was a crazy move for the numbers, but also for the responsibility,” Riso added. He talked about how complicated it was in those first sad weeks, but ultimately, it proved to be “the right choice.” Tonali’s even got a history of needing time to settle, struggling a bit in his first year when he moved from Brescia to Milan. But Riso said even then, “you could sense in his attitude that he was different from the other lads.” When you get close to him, you gotta know the dude’s a champion and a great man.
So, what’s next for a guy who keeps making these massive, record-breaking moves? He’s always been a champion, a great man, and if history tells us anything, he’ll keep making his mark, no matter the price tag.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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