Newcastle United offered the chance to land £50M star they’ve wanted for years – Report

Newcastle United saw a significant number of departures during the January transfer window, with sporting director Paul Mitchell focused on ensuring compliance with PSR regulations to provide greater financial flexibility in the summer.

The club parted ways with key players, including Miguel Almirón and Lloyd Kelly, in deals that could bring in over £30 million. Kelly made his debut for Juventus on Friday night, but his 45-minute performance at left-back against Como failed to impress fans and pundits.

Meanwhile, Almirón returned to Atlanta United, where he played 69 minutes in a victory over New England Revolution.

Young midfielder Jamie Miley also left the club, joining National League side Hartlepool United after struggling for minutes during his loan spell at Newport County. Seeking more playing time, he opted to move on from Newcastle.

Similarly, Isaac Hayden and Alex Murphy left on loan deals, with Murphy securing a promising opportunity at Bolton Wanderers to gain valuable first-team experience.

As clubs shift their focus to the summer transfer window, another Newcastle player has surfaced in transfer rumors, with reports linking Sandro Tonali to a potential move away.

Since returning from his 10-month suspension in August, Tonali has been instrumental for Eddie Howe’s side. Playing in a deeper midfield role, he has allowed Bruno Guimarães to push higher up the pitch and exert more influence in attack.

His return to form was highlighted by a crucial Premier League goal in Newcastle’s 3-1 victory against Southampton in January, along with a brace in the Carabao Cup against Brentford. His impact has been undeniable, making him a key figure in Newcastle’s midfield setup.

According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Juventus is now preparing a swap deal involving Douglas Luiz in an attempt to lure Tonali away from St. James’ Park. Newcastle had shown interest in Luiz back in 2022 when he was still with Aston Villa, but a transfer never materialized.

The Brazilian midfielder eventually joined Juventus in 2024 for £50 million but has struggled to meet expectations under manager Thiago Motta. Reports now suggest that Juventus is willing to offer a considerable cash sum in addition to Luiz to convince Newcastle to part ways with Tonali.

The Italian midfielder remains a priority target for Juventus, given his years at AC Milan and his familiarity with Serie A.

However, his agent has dismissed exit rumors, emphasizing that Tonali sees his future in England rather than a return to Italy. The belief is that he is content at Newcastle despite external speculation.

When comparing the two midfielders, Tonali stands out as the superior player despite being two years younger. He has played significantly more minutes than Luiz this season, further solidifying his role as a crucial figure for Newcastle.

Meanwhile, Luiz has struggled for consistent game time in Turin and could be open to a return to the Premier League, where he previously spent five years, scoring 20 goals in 175 appearances.

With Newcastle aiming to strengthen rather than weaken their squad, it remains to be seen whether Juventus’ proposal will gain traction.

However, given Tonali’s growing influence in Howe’s midfield and his apparent satisfaction on Tyneside, Newcastle may have little interest in entertaining any offers, regardless of the financial incentives involved.