Ste McGovern
Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali has opened up on his “difficult” transfer from AC Milan ahead of the two teams facing off in the Uefa Champions League.
The 23-year-old became the most expensive Italian footballer of all time when he moved for €70 million (£52m) in the summer.
The Italy international will be reunited with his former club when the Magpies take on the Rossoneri at San Siro on Tuesday night, with kickoff set for 17:45 BST.
“This is the team I support first of all and this is the team that gave me the chance for my dreams to come true,” Tonali said, via The Shields Gazette. “Now I return as a rival player to AC Milan.”
Reports in Italy claimed that Tonali had been forced into a move to St. James’ Park by AC Milan, but the player says that while it was a “difficult” decision to leave the club with whom he won the Scudetto in 2022, he was “happy” to join Newcastle.
“It’s very difficult for a player to ask for a transfer to a specific team,” he admitted. “A player is kind of limited in his willing to do what he wants, it’s difficult for a player to decide where you go, whether it’s Real Madrid or Barcelona or wherever.
“From the moment I received this offer [from Newcastle] I was happy because I did my best with AC Milan and I have worked with people who love me and will still love me.
“I talked about it thoroughly and made my final decision.”
Tonali added: On the pitch, everything changes when you switch from the Italian championship to the Premier League. At the beginning I was kind of lost and I received so much help by everybody under every aspect, language, sport and tactics.”
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