Tonali Returns to Barcelona’s Radar
Tonali had faced Barcelona in the league stage, in a match that ended with Newcastle losing 2-1. The midfielder delivered a performance described as acceptable, as he brought a degree of calm to a team whose performance was characterized by impulsiveness during the encounter.
Barcelona’s interest in the player dates back to the period when Ramon Planes was in charge of the technical management. The club saw Tonali as a future successor to Sergio Busquets and considered him a promising player capable of delivering outstanding performances in midfield. At that time, the player was 19 years old and had caught attention in Italian football with his style, technique, and tactical intelligence.
Tonali attracted the attention of several major European clubs, including Paris Saint-Germain, which was prepared to make a higher offer. Years later, with Deco taking over the sports management at Barcelona, the player was closely monitored within the club’s technical structure, and the reports were extremely positive.
Tonali transferred to Newcastle for £58 million, approximately €70 million, despite later being suspended for ten months due to a betting issue. After his return, he managed to secure his place in the starting lineup with a contract extending until 2028.
During the current season, Tonali participated in 42 matches across various competitions, including 27 matches in the English Premier League, 9 in the UEFA Champions League, 2 in the FA Cup, and 3 in the English Football League Cup. He only missed the continental tournament match against Benfica, which he started on the bench, affirming his stability as a key player in Newcastle’s lineup.
