Report: Barcelona Revive Interest in Newcastle Midfielder | OneFootball

Longstanding Admiration from Camp Nou

Barcelona’s long-held admiration for Sandro Tonali appears to be resurfacing at a curious time. According to Mundo Deportivo, the Catalan giants have been monitoring the Italian midfielder “for five seasons”, with interest rekindled thanks to the keen eye of Andrea Mancini—now part of Barça’s coaching staff and the son of the legendary Roberto Mancini. Mancini’s positive reports suggest the Tonali flame is far from extinguished, but for now, “the interest… has not yet materialised into any offer.”

Given Tonali’s impressive adjustment to Premier League life at Newcastle and his key role in their European push, Barça’s renewed attention is hardly surprising.

Photo: IMAGO

Resilience After Controversy

Tonali’s journey in England has not been without turbulence. Signed for £58 million, he was soon banned for ten months due to involvement in a gambling case. Yet, remarkably, he has shown fortitude. Despite a spell alternating between starting and the bench, he clawed his way back into Eddie Howe’s XI.

That resilience has sparked rumours of a Serie A return, but his camp swiftly moved to quash speculation: Tonali is “not discontent in England” and “has a contract until 2028.”

A Transfer Saga That Predates the Pandemic

Barça’s admiration isn’t new. Massimo Cellino, former Brescia president, revealed the club had made a hefty offer before the pandemic: “Barcelona had made an offer of 65 million euros plus two very interesting youngsters valued at seven and a half million each.” But the proposal faltered. “I think the Barça board received a response they didn’t like. And not because of Tonali,” Cellino said cryptically.

PSG’s interest was rebuffed: “Nasser (PSG) would like to have him in Paris… but the boy doesn’t want to go to France.” Instead, Tonali reportedly preferred Inter or Juventus—though interest from Napoli and Fiorentina was also registered.

Vision, Versatility and a Midfield Mastermind

Tonali’s profile continues to rise. As MD notes, he “prefers to play close to the centre backs… with complete freedom to create play.” His game intelligence is clear: “one of his greatest strengths is finding passing lanes… usually behind opposing defenders.” Coupled with his defensive commitment and positional discipline, Tonali represents a rare breed—equal parts architect and enforcer.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

It’s flattering that Barcelona are still chasing Tonali, but they may need to get in line. Newcastle fans have already seen glimpses of a player who could anchor their midfield for years to come. The Geordie faithful stood by him during the gambling saga—and rightly so. That loyalty has been repaid with mature performances, intelligent positioning, and brave ball progression.

Yes, it’s always disconcerting when a European giant circles one of your stars. But Tonali’s camp has shut down exit chatter emphatically. As one fan might say: “He’s ours till 2028—Barça can keep dreaming.”

The bigger picture here? Tonali has shown he belongs in the Premier League and could grow into one of its best midfielders. Barcelona’s renewed interest might just be proof of that.