CM: Figures, counterparts and a strong bond – Tonali’s potential Milan return analysed | OneFootball

Sandro Tonali’s most recent comments have once again fuelled the idea that he will come back to AC Milan one day, but how feasible is it currently?

Speaking in an interview with La Repubblica, Tonali revealed some details about leaving Milan and offered some hope for the future: “I have no regrets. The idea of ​​returning to Milan one day is there, but it’s not the thought when I wake up in the morning.”

Calciomercato.com ask the question: do Milan have the economic strength to attempt an attempt to bring Tonali back to his boyhood club? The calculations start from the €58.9m sale in the summer of 2023, a capital gain of €48.4m for the Rossoneri with €4.278m going to Brescia (sell-on clause).

Given that a sale is not currently in Newcastle’s mind – especially having not had Tonali for a long time due to his ban – a figure of €50-55m would be the minimum starting point for discussions. It is a high amount, but the club have shown a willingness to invest in the right profiles, like Santiago Gimenez.

One way to lower the cash sum might be to include a counterpart. Malick Thiaw enjoys the esteem of Eddie Howe and last summer there were some discussions between Newcastle and the agency that looks after the interests of the German defender.

Milan wanted €35m to sell which put the Premier League side off, though if their admiration remains then it could therefore reduce the monetary costs of a possible Tonali operation, without considering any other big sales that would generate cash.

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The main issue is Tonali’s salary: his contract is €7m net per season plus €2m in bonuses until June 2028, a figure significantly higher than the €2.5m he earned with Milan. Rafael Leao is the highest earner at present, with €5m plus €2m in bonuses.

To make a possible return of Tonali sustainable, an effort would therefore be necessary from both parties, remembering that the player would not be able to benefit from the tax relief of the Growth Decree.

As of today, there would be many obstacles in a potential operation to bring Tonali back to Milan, but the strong bond that ties the player to the club leaves the door open for the next few years. After all, he said it himself: “The idea of ​​returning one day is there.”