Real Madrid are reportedly looking to add Newcastle United star Sandro Tonali to their squad in 2025. The Spanish giants are still looking for a Toni Kroos replacement and see the Italian as an ideal fit.
As per a report in Milan Live, Real Madrid are keen on adding more firepower to their stacked midfield. They see Tonali as the player who can elevate their squad and want to get the former AC Milan midfielder to Santiago Bernabeu.
The Italian report claims that Newcastle United are looking to sell the midfielder who was suspended last season. They report that the Magpies are willing to take a loss and sell the 24-year-old for €50 million after spending €66 million to get him last year.
Kroos retired from football last season but Real Madrid decided not to add a new midfielder to the squad. Carlo Ancelotti was happy with Jude Bellingham, Federico Valverde, Aurelien Tchouameni, and Eduardo Camavinga as his starting options with Luka Modric chipping in from the bench.
AC Milan have a 10 percent sell-on clause in Tonali's contract at Tottenham and any sale to Real Madrid would see them pocket a good fee on top of the €66 million they got last summer.
Real Madrid target looking to repay Newcastle United, claims Eddie Howe
Eddie Howe believes Sandro Tonali is keen on repaying Newcastle United for showing faith in him after returning from this 10-match suspension. The Real Madrid target was banned by the Italian FA for breaching the betting rules and was asked to attend a rehabilitation program for eight months.
Tomani returned to the pitch earlier this season and Howe admitted that the Italian must feel like he needs to prove his worth after his £53 million move.
The Newcastle United manager said:
"I don't know if debt is the right word but Sandro will naturally feel he wants to repay everyone here for the trust we've shown in him when we signed him. We've tried to support the human rather than treating him as a footballer, first and foremost. I've seen enough of Sandro [in training] all these months to back his ability. I still love the player. He's a very strong guy, he's handled this situation so well. He's shown real strength, dignity, integrity."
"Because he's been isolated at times it hasn't always been easy for him. He's had some low moments and some lonely moments where the team has been playing. I think we'll get a different player back, a stronger player mentally, someone who will enjoy his football and probably appreciate every moment because it has been taken away from him for a long period of time. Sandro's not outwardly expressive. He'll be calm, cool and collected tomorrow but I'm sure that, inside, he can't wait to wear that shirt again. Playing again will be a tremendous release for him," he added.
Real Madrid are currently focused on adding a defender in January after serious injuries to David Alaba, Eder Militao, and Dani Carvajal in the last few months.