SANDRO TONALI’S contract situation remains one of Ross Wilson’s key early focuses as Newcastle United sporting director, despite Eddie Howe confirming the Italian midfielder signed an extension to his current deal while he was suspended for gambling offences.

When Tonali originally joined Newcastle in the summer of 2023, it was announced that he had signed a five-year deal running to 2028. However, as part of the discussions around the financial implications of the Italian’s ten-month ban for breaching betting rules, it was decided to extend the deal to 2029, with an option for a further year to 2030.

That extension strengthens Newcastle’s position if clubs come calling for Tonali, who has impressed for both club and country this season, but as the Alexander Isak saga in the summer proved, high-performing players tend to expect regular contract revisions to reflect their seniority and performance levels.

In order to keep Tonali beyond the end of the current campaign, Newcastle might well have to offer the 25-year-old an improved deal, something Wilson will be addressing as a key priority following his appointment as sporting director earlier this month.

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