AC Milan didn’t have the “real need” to sell Sandro Tonali to Newcastle United in the last window.
That’s according to former Milan technical director Paolo Maldini, who was shown the exit door at the San Siro, along with sporting director Frederic Massara, a month before the midfielder joined the Magpies in July.
Maldini has opened up about his exit from Milan in a lengthy interview with La Repubblica, relayed by Calciomercato, where he has also talked about Tonali’s sale to Newcastle.
Maldini and Massara signed the 23-year-old for the Serie A side from Brescia, initially on loan in 2020, before his stay there was made permanent a year later. During his time there, Tonali had established himself as one of the key players for the Rossoneri.
Eddie Howe’s side reportedly invested around €70m to secure his services and although the fee seems to be high for Milan, Maldini believes he would have tried to retain the Italy international.
“We would have done everything possible not to let him go, even in the face of such an important offer. We have never been totally against the sale of one of our important players, but there wasn’t a real need either,” he said.
Tonali has one goal from 12 appearances for Newcastle, and is currently serving a 10-month ban handed down by the Italian football association for breaking betting regulations.
On the betting case, Maldini explained: “I was shocked. I’m sorry: I didn’t realise your discomfort. This makes me understand once again that not enough is ever done to try to manage and understand these kids. What happened to Sandro is a defeat for us too.”
