Newcastle complete in-person checks on new Sandro Tonali replacement

Newcastle United are facing the very real prospect of losing Sandro Tonali this summer, and that has accelerated their plans to find a suitable replacement.

It’s likely to be another summer of chaos at St James’ Park. After missing out on European football, Eddie Howe could be facing an exodus of talent. He’s already lost Anthony Gordon to Barcelona in a hefty £69m deal and could still lose Tonali and left-back Lewis Hall.

Both departures would be hefty blows for the Magpies, who were Carabao Cup winners and Champions League qualifiers not so long ago.

However, the reality is that they’ve been forced to learn a harsh reality about recruitment – a lesson that they’re looking to remember this summer as they go in pursuit of the likes of Victor Munoz. The Osasuna winger looks the likeliest to arrive as a Gordon replacement and is currently representing Spain at the 2026 World Cup.

That would be one situation resolved for sporting director Ross Wilson, but Munoz must only be the start. Those in Tyneside have also got the task of replacing Tonali amid growing interest from Manchester United, Tottenham and Arsenal.

Newcastle complete checks on midfield star

As reported by The Athletic, Newcastle have now completed in-person checks on Kevin Danois. The AJ Auxerre midfielder has entered their radar after impressing scouts and could be on his way to St James’ Park before the summer comes to an end.

At 21 years old, the Frenchman is not the finished product, but he is someone that is full of potential. Although some may question if that’s enough to replace Tonali, the numbers certainly make for good reading.

The young star enjoyed an excellent Ligue 1 campaign last time out, outperforming Tonali in front of goal and out of possession to earn impressive praise from Como scout Ben Mattinson, who compared him to Paris Saint-Germain’s Joao Neves.

After 12 months of poor recruitment, Danois would be an intelligent signing ready to take the Premier League by storm as an underrated gem. Whether Newcastle push to turn their in-person checks into an offer remains the big question, though.

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