Sandro Tonali’s Agent Opens Up on Midfielder’s Emotional Struggle After AC Milan Exit

Beppe Riso, the agent for Sandro Tonali, has revealed the midfielder faced a tough emotional period after his surprising transfer from AC Milan to Newcastle United. The Italian star later made a high-profile switch to Tottenham Hotspur, but his initial time in England was marked by sadness and adjustment issues.

Early Difficulties in England

Tonali, who grew up as a Milan supporter and was instrumental in their Serie A title triumph, found adapting to life in the Premier League challenging. When Newcastle United paid €67 million for him in the summer of 2023, the midfielder was hesitant to leave Italy. According to his agent, those first weeks at Newcastle were emotionally heavy for Tonali, who struggled with the sudden change.

Reasons Behind Leaving AC Milan

Riso explained the decision to depart Milan stemmed from a feeling that the club was losing its traditional spirit. On the Colpi da Maestro podcast, the agent said they noticed Milan was not the same historic club anymore. Tonali and his team saw moving to the Premier League as an exciting challenge. Despite being a key player in Milan’s championship-winning squad, Tonali showed vision and courage by taking this step.

"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," Riso said.

Adjusting and Proving Himself

The transition wasn't smooth, as Tonali had always taken time to settle when stepping up levels. His start at Newcastle reflected this pattern. Riso admitted the player felt sad initially but gradually adjusted and began to shine on the pitch, demonstrating his qualities once more.

"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," the agent shared.

Record Transfer to Tottenham Spurs

Tonali’s progress at Newcastle eventually led to a massive transfer deal. Three years after moving to England, Tottenham Hotspur secured his signature for a staggering €108 million. Riso acknowledged the pressure accompanying such a significant move, calling it a "crazy" transfer both financially and responsibility-wise.

Despite the initial emotional struggle when leaving Italy, Tonali has now embraced his place in the Premier League fully. His agent believes he is exactly where he should be at this stage of his career.