Sandro Tonali: Newcastle player signed contract extension during betting ban

Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali signed a contract extension during his betting ban which means his deal could now run until 2030.

Tonali joined Newcastle on an initial five-year deal after completing a £55m move from AC Milan in July, 2023.

But he was subsequently banned for 10 months in October of that year by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) for breaching betting rules.

Newcastle supported Tonali through his suspension and it is understood that both parties sat down to discuss the prospect of a contract extension during his ban.

Tonali, keen to repay the faith the club showed in him, extended his contract by a year until 2029.

The club also have an option to trigger an additional 12-month extension to 2030.

Though Newcastle could still look to sit down to discuss fresh terms with Tonali in the future, the club will not be in a vulnerable position where he only has two years left on his deal in the summer.

It gives Newcastle added protection after Tonali became a pivotal player under head coach Eddie Howe.

"His physicality is one of the standout attributes that he possesses," Howe said earlier this month. "He makes the difference continually for us in that way.

"Most midfielders have to have that element of athleticism and ideally a gear change when we're getting countered on, or when we need to go forward.

"He possesses a couple of gear changes but then you add to that his technical ability and tactical understanding, it does make him a really good player."

Tonali has not looked back.

It was just 14 months ago that the midfielder returned to action for Newcastle after serving his suspension.

And he has become indispensable.

Howe's subsequent decision to shift Tonali to the number six role unlocked something in both the Italian and, indeed, this side as they went on to end a 70-year wait for a major domestic trophy and qualify for the Champions League last season.

Though Newcastle have endured a mixed start to the Premier League – they currently lie in 14th place – Tonali has merely picked up from where he left off.

Tonali's athleticism is such that, according to football stats database Fbref, he has carried the ball further – 1,722 yards – than any other Newcastle player in all competitions this season.

The intelligent Italian rarely loses the ball and only Kieran Trippier has completed more passes, had more touches and hit more progressive passes for Newcastle than the influential midfielder.

Yet Tonali also does the gritty side of the game well, too.

Only centre-back Sven Botman has made more blocks than Tonali (13) for Newcastle while defenders Malick Thiaw and Dan Burn are the only players to make more interceptions than the Italian (12).

Though others, perhaps, grab the headlines more often, no one at Newcastle needs reminding about Tonali's importance, which could lead to discussions over fresh terms.

As well as strengthening the side moving forward, Newcastle need to keep hold of their best players, particularly after losing Alexander Isak last summer.

The Isak saga proved contracts do not carry the weight they once did after the former Newcastle centre forward went on strike to force through a £125m move to Liverpool despite having three years left on his deal.

But Tonali has long shown his commitment with his actions and his words.

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