Newcastle star Tonali admits he is already thinking about ‘the idea of ​​returning to Milan’ | OneFootball

Sandro Tonali has admitted that he has thoughts of returning to AC Milan some day, given his obvious attachment to his boyhood club.

Tonali joined from Brescia in the 2021 summer transfer window and he quickly became a fan favourite because of his Rossoneri faith. The Italian midfielder’s performances grew and he scored some crucial goals in the 2021-22 Scudetto season.

Then, the decision was made to sell him to Newcastle in 2023, when the cash-rich Premier League side submitted an offer that constituted a record sale for Milan. There has been talk of him returning one day, though nothing too serious or concrete.

Tonali did an interview with the insert ‘U’ in La Repubblica, after speaking yesterday about rejecting Inter and Paolo Maldini’s phone call. His comments have been relayed by MilanNews.

As a potential captain and symbol of Milan, you were sold to Newcastle. Does the football with ‘bandieras’ no longer exist?

“It is difficult, you cannot decide alone. It is a world with a lot of money: for the players and for the clubs. When you say no, there must also be a no from the club. In negotiations it is difficult for there to be two nos or two yeses: there is always a yes and a no.

“In the big teams, with a lot of money at stake, the flag becomes a utopia. With my transfer, on one hand I took away and on the other I gave, helping Milan to keep the accounts in the black.”

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Has the English experience enriched you?

“Not just economically. I grew up and discovered a new country, a new football and a new language. 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.”

You were born on the same day as Franco Baresi, May 8…

“Forty years later, he was born in 1960 and I was born in 2000: a rare coincidence. The few times I wore the captain’s armband for Milan I remember them all.

“Against Empoli, Torino in the Coppa Italia, against Chelsea in the Champions League. A couple of quick jokes with Franco, about this, slipped out.”

In January there was talk of a return to Italy, but to Juventus…

“I have never spoken about it with my agents. And I know, from experience, that if you don’t get to that point there is nothing concrete.

“And in any case I am happy with myself here, I have found my line and there is no need to upset it again. I want to win for the Newcastle fans, soon we will have the first opportunity at Wembley.”