Eddie Howe has admitted he is “not in control” of Sandro Tonali’s future, but Newcastle’s manager believes the Italy midfielder remains happy on Tyneside. A quiet transfer deadline day at St James’ Park featured swiftly crushed suggestions that Arsenal were poised to bid for Tonali. There were fears it could be a precursor to a possibly agent-led initiative to move the midfielder this summer.
Howe, perhaps fearing a repeat of the debilitating saga that led to Alexander Isak’s departure for Liverpool in the summer, held talks on Monday with his £55m signing.
Asked whether he had uncovered any hidden agenda behind the rumours, he said: “I don’t think so. That would surprise me. But lots of things happen without my knowledge. As far as I’m aware though we’ve got a player that’s an outstanding footballer, an outstanding person.
“Sandro’s very happy here. He’s got a great relationship with me and his teammates and he seems really, really, happy within himself. I don’t see an issue, but I’m not in control of everything. If I knew where everything [rumours] came from I’d be wiser. But Sandro is absolutely fine. I had discussions with him yesterday. His focus is on the here and now with us.
“There’s no issue with Sandro. He’s happy and committed. But our best players will always be attracting glances from other clubs – that’s just the reality of football.”
Given that Tonali is contracted until 2029 with an option to extend by a year, he would command a high fee, leaving Newcastle, theoretically at least, in a strong position.
The same cannot be said of their hopes of reaching a third Carabao Cup final in four years. The holders travel to Manchester City on Wednesday for the semi-final second leg, trailing 2-0.
“It will be an almighty challenge,” said Howe, who is again without the injured Bruno Guimarães and Lewis Miley. “But we have to have belief. We have the talent.”
Howe could have done with January reinforcements, but said Premier League spending rules left him with no room for manoeuvre. “Financially it wasn’t possible,” he said. “We are under financial restrictions and had a very limited amount of money available to use this window so we decided to wait until the summer when there’s a lot more players available for potentially better value.
“Our squad is OK. If it was a fully fit squad it would be really strong in some areas, but, of course, it’s not, so there’s a bit of an imbalance defensively.”
Pep Guardiola has said Newcastle are among six clubs who have to win the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup because their net spend is bigger than City’s over the past five years, although he appeared to be in joke mode. Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham and Liverpool are also ahead of City on that list.
In January City bought Antoine Semenyo and Marc Guéhi for a total £82.5m. Guardiola was asked whether the football director, Hugo Viana, deserved particular credit for the signings.
“Yeah, really good,” said City’s manager. “I’m a little bit sad and upset because in net spend the last five years we are seventh in the Premier League. I want to be the first; I don’t understand why the club doesn’t spend more money. I am a little bit grumpy with them.
“But like we won in the past because we spent a lot, now six teams have to win the Premier Leagues, Champions Leagues and FA Cups because they spent more in the last five years. These are facts. It’s not an opinion. You can say an opinion, like we play good or bad against Spurs – we can agree or disagree. But they are facts. Good luck to the six teams who are in front of us for net spend for the last five years. Let’s go. I’m waiting. That’s a nice quote, eh.”
In the past five years United’s net spend is £675m, Arsenal’s £663m, Chelsea’s £651m, Tottenham’s £574m, Newcastle’s £424m, Liverpool’s £420m, and City’s £396m, according to Transfermarkt.co.uk.
Rayan Cherki faces a late fitness test on a knock received at Spurs.
