Sandro Tonali gives worrying answer on Newcastle future and name drops Isak | Football | Sport

Sandro Tonali remains guarded about his long-term future at Newcastle United following the revelation that he signed a contract extension at the club back in 2023. In a candid response, the midfield star acknowledged he is content on Tyneside but pointed to Alexander Isak’s situation as evidence of how quickly circumstances can shift.

The Italy international is currently tied to St James’ Park until the summer of 2029, with the Magpies holding an option to extend the arrangement by an additional year. Nevertheless, Eddie Howe disclosed a fortnight ago that he would be keen to secure Tonali on improved terms at Newcastle to further solidify his future on Tyneside.

Yet when questioned following Wednesday’s 2-0 victory over Athletic Bilbao about whether he envisages his long-term future at the club, Tonali indicated he isn’t contemplating that far into the distance at present and is simply concentrating on the immediate situation.

“This is a tough question because, you know, [in] football you need to think year for year,” he responded.

“I don’t want to say I want to stay here 10 years and in two years, three years, four years [or] five years I will go. I want to think, just for me, year for year. This is football. The last summer was tough for us, for Alex [Isak], but this is football.

“If you have an option for your life, for another team you need to think about everything. I don’t want to say ‘Yes, I want to stay here 10 years’ but now I’m happy here. I don’t think anything about another team.”

Tonali penned a new deal at Newcastle following his 10-month suspension from football for breaching betting regulations. It represented a significant commitment from the Magpies at that juncture, and the 25-year-old has justified that belief by emerging as one of the Premier League’s finest midfielders.

“I’m happy about it. This extension was three years ago after the ban, I don’t know why the last week everybody spoke about it,” he added.

“When I had the ban, when I was out off the pitch, I signed my contract for one year because it was difficult staying off the pitch for [what was] my fault, for my problem, and [take] all the money from this team.

“The club spoke to me, spoke with my agent, and [we] signed for one more year. But it’s not for the money, it’s not for one more year. It was because I have confidence in this team, and this team have confidence in me. So we worked together.

“But every day for me is the same here. Every day I work for the win every game, I work for every person in Newcastle, I work for my family, I work really for every person here.”