Sandro Tonali’s agent, Giuseppe Riso, has revealed the inside story behind his move to Newcastle United and why the club’s fans played a crucial role in helping him recover from his betting scandal.
Sandro Tonali’s departure from AC Milan in July 2023 remains one of the most hotly debated transfers in modern Italian football.
A symbol of Milan’s Scudetto‑winning side, Tonali was sold for €48m — a deal that ultimately helped the Italian giants close the 2024 financial year in profit. But the move was met with fierce criticism from supporters.
The backlash has only intensified as Tonali went on to establish himself as one of the Premier League’s standout midfielders. Now, Riso has offered rare insight into how the move was agreed behind the scenes.
“The deal came about because a club like Newcastle, with unlimited funds, had decided to invest in Sandro,” he told Calcio E Finanza.
“We considered the idea of having the player play at a higher level.”
The betting scandal that derailed his first season
Tonali’s early months in England were anything but smooth, as a betting investigation in Italy soon led to a 10‑month ban from competitive football.
The suspension, confirmed in October 2023, ruled him out until August 2024 — forcing him to miss the rest of the 2023/24 season and Euro 2024.
It was a scandal which rocked Italian football, but Riso insists there were no signs of trouble before the move.
“No, absolutely not, also because otherwise we would have intervened,” he said.
“I must say that the transfer also proved to be a winning choice from this perspective. Because both Newcastle and their fans treated Sandro incredibly, always supporting him. In Italy, he received different treatment. Not from the AC Milan fans, who always protected him.”
How Newcastle fans helped Tonali recover
According to Riso, the response in England proved vital in helping Tonali through the darkest period of his career. Despite being suspended, the midfielder continued to receive from the St. James’ Park faithful.
He has since established himself as one of the best in the Premier League and a key player for the Magpies. Indeed, reports in England have linked Arsenal with a big move for the 25-year-old this summer.
That will depend on Tonali, who signed a new contract with Newcastle in January. He elected to extend his deal with the club and admitted part of the decision was due to Newcastle’s backing. Riso backs that up, admitting the mentality is different in England.
“In England, after all, the mentality is different,” he said.
“Every time Sandro entered the stadium, despite his suspension, he received a standing ovation. We’re talking about a guy who made a mistake, the fans noticed it, and he was forgiven. Now, Sandro has completely changed.”
A career reset and a new path forward
Tonali’s journey has certainly been turbulent, but Riso insists the midfielder has emerged stronger, thanks to Newcastle’s help.
That has certainly been demonstrated on the pitch, as he continues to impress in the Premier League and Champions League.
What comes next remains uncertain, but Tonali’s career is undoubtedly firmly back on track. With interest from big clubs, and a potential World Cup in the summer, the next step could be on the way.
