Newcastle United hero Alan Shearer has issued a subtle Sandro Tonali transfer warning – while stressing concern over the Magpies’ recent form.
Newcastle United have been sent a Sandro Tonali warning by Alan Shearer.(Image: (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images))
Alan Shearer has made his Newcastle United transfer concerns clear in a fresh verdict on Sandro Tonali. The midfielder was shockingly linked to Arsenal on deadline day and, though there was no concrete truth to that, Shearer is concerned that more disappointing results could lead to serious offers arriving for Tonali.
The club icon told bookmakers, Betfair: “Sandro Tonali hasn’t hit the heights he was at last season, but I guess what’ll happen is, if Newcastle aren’t going to qualify for Europe or be competitive in the Premier League, then you’d expect other clubs will look at Newcastle and try to buy their best players.”
“Although it was a surprise in the January window, I think it’ll happen more in the summer if Newcastle now don’t achieve what they have in the past few years. Top players want to play Champions League football, and we know there’s no real loyalty in football.
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“I’m not saying Tonali will do anything like that, but we know if clubs don’t get into European places, other clubs will try and pick players up.”
The Magpies currently sit 11th in the Premier League table, seven points off the top five, with successive campaigns of Champions League football currently appearing unlikely, at this stage.
Eddie Howe’s side have not won in the Premier League since early January. Though one of their last seven matches that did not end in defeat was an impressive point away to Paris Saint-Germain in Europe, it has handed Newcastle an extra few fixtures with a two-legged play-off against Qarabag to come later this month.
An FA Cup fourth round tie away to Aston Villa will also take place in February – with Shearer making it very clear that Newcastle need to win in both of those competitions.
He said: “Newcastle have to start winning games and go far in the FA Cup and hopefully the Champions League to try and rescue what, at the minute, certainly Premier League wise, has been a disappointing return.
“I know we got to a semi-final and all those years ago we’d craved for that, but then the money that’s been spent and put into the club and where the club wants to go to, at the minute it’s been disappointing.”
Newcastle United have seven fixtures across three competitions in a busy February.(Image: Getty Images)
Before those knockout matches, Newcastle welcome Brentford to St James’ Park before then heading down to London for a Premier League clash against Tottenham.
Howe will be hoping to have club captain Bruno Guimaraes back for one of those matches – with the midfielder missing the last four games in all competitions.
In an update before the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg defeat to Manchester City, Howe said: “Bruno is doing well, but I don’t think he’ll make this game. There is a chance for the weekend.”
Lewis Miley, Emil Krafth, Joelinton, Fabian Schar and Tino Livramento are also absent while Anthony Gordon was forced off on Wednesday evening, though Howe has admitted it does not look too serious.