Sandro Tonali broke down in tears when told to leave Milan to join Newcastle, Serie A club need funds from his transfer - Reports

Sandro Tonali reportedly broke down in tears when learning that AC Milan were insisting on selling him to Newcastle United.

According to the Italian outlet la Repubblica, the 23-year-old wanted to stay at the San Siro, so he was saddened to hear that he would be sold. He was reportedly looking to remain with Milan for the rest of his career. Nevertheless, the Serie A giants decided to cash in on the midfielder, as they are in need of money.

Newcastle have sealed a deal for the Italian international who joins them in a €70 million plus add-ons deal, per transfer expert Fabrizio Romano. He becomes the most expensive sale of an Italian player, joining on a six-year deal.

Tonali had been at AC Milan since 2020 when he joined the Rossoneri from fellow Serie A side Brescia. He has scored seven goals and contributed 13 assists in 130 appearances across competitions. He won the Serie A title with Stefano Pioli's side in 2022.

However, his impressive performances for club and country have enticed Newcastle to lure him to St James' Park. That came even against his own wishes with the player desiring to stay in Milan.

Tonali's teammates are reportedly also sharing the same feelings that the midfielder holds over the move. Tuttosport claims that the Milan dressing room is 'humanly sorry' but understands the move from a monetary aspect.

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Newcastle new signing Tonali had turned down Inter Milan before joining AC Milan

The Italian snubbed Inter for AC Milan.

Newcastle have signed one of Italian football's most highly regarded midfielders. However, Tonali could have been playing for AC Milan's rivals Inter Milan, as the Nerazzurri had set their sights on him in 2020.

He admitted that his agent held talks with Inter, but eventually he wanted to join his childhood club (via GOAL):

"More or less everyone supports Milan where I'm from, including my father, who passed that passion onto me as a kid. I've wanted to wear this jersey for a while.

"I didn't speak much to Massimo Cellino (Brescia president), but he realised straight away what it meant to me. He said he'd let me make my choice, and he kept his word."

Tonali went on to explain that talks were held with Inter but that as soon as Pioli's side came into the equation, he wanted that move:

"My agent did most of the negotiating with Inter, so he quite rightly left me out of it, so I wouldn't get distracted. As soon as I heard about Milan, and he knew that I supported them, we talked, and I let him get to work."

He now leaves his childhood team after three years with the Rossoneri. He joins a Newcastle side that are emerging as a European powerhouse and will play UEFA Champions League football next season.