October 26th 2023.
Newcastle United have been dealt a major blow after it was confirmed that Sandro Tonali, their marquee summer signing, has been suspended for 10 months due to breaking Italy's gambling regulations. The news means that the former AC Milan midfielder will miss the remainder of the Premier League campaign as well as next summer's European Championships.
Manager Eddie Howe admitted after Wednesday's Champions League defeat to Borussia Dortmund that his 'small squad' was already being stretched, with Jacob Murphy suffering a serious shoulder injury in the match. In light of the news, Howe is now expected to bring in a replacement midfielder in January, and reports suggest that Al-Hilal's Ruben Neves is the prime candidate.
The Sun have reported that Newcastle have already begun exploring a potential loan move for Neves, but this could raise some difficult questions among rival Premier League clubs. This is because Newcastle are owned by the Saudi Public Investment Fund, who also own Neves' Al-Hilal and three other clubs in the Saudi Pro League. An immediate return to the Premier League for Neves, either on loan or for a cut-price fee, could potentially raise eyebrows.
However, The Guardian have reported that Manchester United's Scott McTominay or Manchester City's Kalvin Phillips may be preferred by Howe due to being better fits for his aggressive pressing style.
As for Tonali, he will have to make at least 16 trips to Italy during his ban to talk to players at assorted levels of football about the dangers of betting as part of his rehabilitation programme. He must spend the next eight months doing this, as well as visiting addiction clinics, and can face a further eight months of being barred from football if he misses any of his engagements. There had been reports of Newcastle docking his wages during his ban, but this is not believed to be the case, while the prospect of the Magpies taking legal action against AC Milan is also dwindling.
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