Sandro Tonali’s Agent Opens Up About Midfielder’s Sadness After AC Milan Exit and Premier League Transition

Beppe Riso, the agent of Sandro Tonali, has shared insights into the midfielder's difficult emotions following his unexpected exit from AC Milan. The Italian international faced sadness after moving to Newcastle United before eventually transferring to Tottenham Hotspur.

Challenges Adapting to the Premier League

Tonali had a tough time adjusting to life in England after his €67 million move from Milan in the summer of 2023. Having grown up supporting Milan and playing a key role in their Serie A title success, the midfielder hesitated over the transfer. His agent revealed that those first weeks at Newcastle were marked by deep sadness.

Reasons Behind Leaving AC Milan

According to Riso, the main motivation to leave Italy stemmed from a change in AC Milan’s atmosphere. The club was drifting away from its historic identity, which pushed Tonali and his team to explore other options.

"We made the first step because we realised that Milan were becoming different," Riso said on the Colpi da Maestro podcast. "I know Milan well, and this was not giving the same sensations as that historic club. Talking to Sandro, we considered that going to the Premier League was a fascinating challenge. He had courage to go, because he was one of the most important players in the Scudetto-winning side, but he was a visionary."

From Sadness to Success in England

Adjusting to new environments has often taken time for Tonali. Even during his early days at Milan, stepping up from Brescia, he didn't make an immediate impact. Despite initial struggles and sadness at Newcastle, he gradually found his footing and delivered strong performances.

"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," explained Riso.

Record Transfer to Tottenham

Tonali's rise at Newcastle set the stage for a huge move three years later when Tottenham Hotspur paid €108 million to sign him. Riso commented on the intense pressure linked to this high-profile transfer.

"It was a crazy move for the numbers, but also for the responsibility," the agent admitted.

Still, Riso believes Tonali is now exactly where he belongs, having embraced his Premier League life despite the initial pain of leaving Italy.

• Transfer fee to Newcastle United: €67 million (summer 2023)
• Transfer fee to Tottenham Hotspur: €108 million (three years after joining Newcastle)
• Initial reaction to Newcastle move: Sadness and difficulty adapting
• Role at AC Milan: Key player in Serie A title win
• Agent's comment on Milan atmosphere: Club losing historic identity