Newcastle United have reached an agreement with AC Milan for the signing of  Italy international midfielder Sandro Tonali. 

The Magpies are keen on adding a creative midfielder to their ranks this summer and have targeted Inter Milan midfielder Nicolo Barella and Leicester City midfielder James Maddison.

But the price tag of both players has discouraged them from pursuit, with Inter wanting £70million for Barella while Leicester want £60million for Maddison, who has been leaning towards a move to Tottenham.

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Inter and Leicester’s valuation of both players has led Newcastle to chase Italy international Tonali, who they expect to get for less. Earlier this week, Eddie Howe’s side presented an opening bid of £42million (€50million) for the player.

But according to 90min, they have now agreed on a deal with Newcastle, with the Magpies expected to pay €70m (£60m), including add-ons. That would make Tonali the second most expensive signing of all time at St. James Park, following last year’s capture of Swedish forward Alexander Isak.

Tonali will now undergo a medical in Romania – where Italy are based for the European Under-21 Championships – before putting pen to paper on a six-year contract. The 23-year-old has 14 senior caps for Italy. He has made 130 appearances for AC Milan and won the Serie A title in the 2021-22 season.