Sandro Tonali’s Agent Reveals Midfielder’s Sadness After Unexpected AC Milan Departure

Sandro Tonali faced a tough transition after his surprising move from AC Milan to Newcastle United. His agent, Beppe Riso, opened up about how the midfielder felt deeply sad during his early days in England before eventually thriving in the Premier League.

Challenges Adapting to Life in England

Tonali, who grew up supporting AC Milan and played a key role in their Serie A title win, found it hard to settle in the North East. When Newcastle offered €67 million for him in the summer of 2023, he hesitated. Riso shared that those first few weeks in the Premier League were emotionally tough for Tonali as he struggled with the big change.

Why the Move Away from Milan?

Riso explained that the decision to leave Italy wasn’t taken lightly. He felt AC Milan was losing its historic character and identity, which pushed Tonali to explore new opportunities. The agent said on the Colpi da Maestro podcast,

"We made the first step because we realised that Milan were becoming different. I know Milan well, and this was not giving the same sensations as that historic club. Talking to Sandro, we considered that going to the Premier League was a fascinating challenge. He had courage to go, because he was one of the most important players in the Scudetto-winning side, but he was a visionary."

Finding His Feet Despite Early Setbacks

The adjustment period at Newcastle United was slow. Tonali had previously faced similar struggles when he first moved up from Brescia to Milan. Although the initial sadness was real, he managed to settle down and prove his quality on the pitch over time.

"It was very difficult for him, in the first few weeks he was sad, but he got a handle on things and made his mark, as always," said Riso.

Record Transfer to Tottenham Hotspur

Tonali’s eventual success with Newcastle caught the attention of Tottenham Hotspur, who paid an astonishing €108 million to sign him three years later. Riso admitted the huge transfer brought enormous pressure, saying,

"It was a crazy move for the numbers, but also for the responsibility."

Still, the agent feels Tonali is exactly where he should be now. Even though leaving Italy was painful at first, the midfielder has fully embraced his place in the Premier League.