Sandro Tonali, the talented Italian midfielder currently playing for Newcastle United, recently shared insights into a pivotal moment in his career—the summer of 2020, when he was on the verge of joining Juventus. Speaking in an interview with Cronache di Spogliatoio, Tonali reflected on the discussions and circumstances that shaped his decision to ultimately sign with AC Milan, his boyhood club.
A Chance Encounter with Matthijs de Ligt
Tonali recalled how his path crossed with Matthijs de Ligt, then a Juventus player, during a vacation in Sardinia. “I was in Sardinia with Cistana and Torregrossa, the Brescia group. It was the period in which I was negotiating with Milan, and we met De Ligt in a restaurant. He spoke highly of Juventus and advised me to think about it,” Tonali revealed. The encounter left an impression on him, as De Ligt praised the club and encouraged him to consider joining.
Reflecting on their brief interaction, Tonali added, “De Ligt and I had stopped to talk after a match during my first year in Serie A. Sometimes you find yourself chatting with an opponent for a few seconds out of respect, even if you don’t know them. Some players stick in your memory, and when you see them again, you think: ‘I’ve seen this guy before.'”
The Transfer Saga of 2020
That summer was a whirlwind for Tonali, who had just completed his debut season in Serie A with Brescia. With Brescia relegated to Serie B, his future became one of the hottest topics in Italian football. “During that summer, I ended up in the newspapers because it was difficult for me to return to Serie B with Brescia,” Tonali explained. “Milan, Inter, and Juventus were all involved in the race. Everyone was telling me: ‘Come to Inter, come to Milan, come to Juve.'”
Ultimately, Tonali chose Milan—a decision driven by his deep connection to the club he supported as a child. His move to Milan marked the beginning of an impressive stint where he played a key role in their Scudetto triumph during the 2021/22 season.
Current Speculations
Despite moving to Newcastle United for €60 million in 2023, Tonali continues to be linked with Juventus. The Italian giants reportedly view him as a potential target for the upcoming transfer window. However, any deal appears challenging due to his high salary and Newcastle’s reluctance to sell.
