With Newcastle United about to sign Sandro Tonali from AC Milan, there’s some sadness in the Italian media at seeing the young talent leave the Rossoneri.
Even though there’s a consensus that the 23-year-old is one of the talents with most potential in the country, they also accept that the Magpies offer is too good to be refused.
That situation was now explained by former player and coach Stefano Cuoghi, who was interviewed by TMW Radio.
First asked if Italian football can no longer ‘open cycles’, he made it clear that offers such as Newcastle’s make it impossible for Serie A clubs to keep their players.
“For the Italian teams it is very complicated. The proceeds are much smaller than in other leagues. In the 90s we were in charge and now we are not. At this moment, certain figures cannot be renounced to be calm.”
“There are no more Moratti and Berlusconi who could buy or keep any player. Now it’s impossible to give up certain figures. We have to figure this out. I have serious doubts that this situation will change, just think that the bottom of the Premier League earns more than our first.
“We can say about his decision that it took the club a minute to accept, and Tonali a minute and a half. Thinking that you can take 10 million a year puts you in place for several lives. I cannot understand those who go to Arabia if they are young. From a working point of view, however, going to the Premier League makes a huge leap.”
According to the latest reports from Italy, Newcastle and Milan already have an agreement for the midfielder’s transfer. That was found between clubs and agents on Thursday, and it should be official very soon.
