Juventus icon Claudio Marchisio believes Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali could one day make a move to Serie A giants Juventus. The Italy international previously featured for AC Milan before joining the Magpies in 2023 and has since grown into a key figure under Eddie Howe at St James’ Park. Still, speculation about a future return to Italy has continued to follow him.
Tonali established in Premier League
Tonali rose through the youth system at Brescia before being signed by AC Milan in 2020, first on loan and then permanently. He lifted the Serie A title in the 2021/22 campaign at San Siro but departed a year later in a record-breaking transfer, becoming the most expensive Italian footballer ever when Newcastle paid around €70 million to secure his services.
His early months in England were disrupted after he received a ten-month suspension, including time spent in gambling rehabilitation, for breaching Italian betting rules.
Since returning, Tonali has re-established himself as a Premier League standout, playing a major role in Howe’s side as Newcastle finished fifth in the 2024/25 season to qualify for the Champions League. Although this domestic campaign has been more challenging, the Magpies reached the last 16 in Europe after defeating Qarabag 9-3 on aggregate in the play-off round, with Tonali scoring in the second leg on Tuesday night.
Juventus told to pursue transfer for Magpies star
Speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Marchisio was asked whether Juventus should target Bernardo Silva on a free transfer when his contract at Manchester City expires this summer. Instead, the former midfielder argued that Juve must rebuild around top Italian talent if they are to reclaim their status at the summit of Serie A.
He said: “Football evolves, but a club’s DNA stays the same. Juventus have always relied on a strong core of Italian champions and need to rebuild that foundation. Gianluigi Donnarumma seems out of reach to me, especially after moving to Manchester City. Tonali feels more realistic. He would be a very good starting point, but patience would be required.”
Marchisio also spoke highly of Victor Osimhen, now starring for Galatasaray after previously leading Napoli to the 2022/23 Serie A title.
He added: “He would certainly have made a big impact. The Osimhen we’re seeing at Galatasaray is not a player who went to Turkey to take it easy. In the first leg he showed incredible determination, something Juventus have often lacked in front of goal.”
Tonali signed Newcastle contract extension during ban
Tonali himself has admitted that a return to Italy in the future cannot be ruled out. Speaking in October, he said: “You never know what can happen, and I tell everyone it’s possible. I’m not closing the door on Italy; it’s my country. Maybe not now because I’ve found balance at Newcastle, but the league is improving and the standard of teams is rising.”
For now, Newcastle remain in a strong negotiating position regarding his future. The Italy international agreed to a contract extension during his suspension, meaning his deal now runs until 2029 with the option of a further year. Any Serie A club hoping to tempt him away would therefore need to pay a substantial transfer fee to persuade the Magpies to part with one of their most valuable players.
