Sandro Tonali 'not closing the door' on return to improving Serie A but Italy star says he's 'found balance' at Newcastle

Newcastle splashed a reported €70 million (£60m/$82m) to sign Tonali from Milan in the summer of 2023, making him the most expensive Italian player of all time. While he suffered a setback in his first season after FIFA hit him with a 10-month ban for breaching betting rules relating to matches in Italy, he marked his return in August 2024. In the 2024-25 season, he made 36 Premier League appearances and scored crucial goals as Eddie Howe's side lifted the Carabao Cup.

Speaking to Vivo Azzurro,Tonali said: "You can never know what will happen, I tell everyone it's possible. I'm not closing the door on Italy; it's my country. Maybe not now because I've found my balance at Newcastle, but the league is getting better and better, the level of the teams is rising."

The 25-year-old midfielder could have returned to Italy just two years after arriving in England, as reports revealed that Juventus were in talks with the Magpies over a swap deal including forward Dusan Vlahovic and Tonali, in light of Liverpool's interest in Alexander Isak. Another ambitious transfer swap, which could have seen Douglas Luiz arrive at St. James' Park with Tonali going the other way, made the rounds in the media, too.

The Lodi-born midfielder is under contract with Newcastle United until 2028. Earlier this year, The Telegraph reported that Tonali had little desire to leave the Premier League side, attributing his commitment to the unwavering support he received from the club during his betting ban. 

However, Calciomercato reports that a "possible" meeting between a few Juve officials and Giuseppe Riso, Tonali's agent, took place in recent days. Newcastle will reportedly demand a fee of at least €70m to let their star midfielder leave.