Andrea Pirlo believes Newcastle United will sign Serie A’s best player in Sandro Tonali

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Andrea Pirlo believes Newcastle United will sign Serie A’s best player, Milan midfielder Sandro Tonali. In Brescia, the same club as Pirlo.

High praise indeed for any midfielder and also a measure of why Magpies manager Eddie Howe is keen to add him to his Champions League squad for next season. Newcastle are paying Milan £60m for the under-21 international Tonali, with the defender agreeing a six-year contract at £150,000-a-week.

The deal would make the young star one of the biggest earners at St James’ park, with a lot already expected from the new recruit.

Further reading: From Gateshead to New Jersey – your guide to the Magpies’ pre-season

Pirlo is aware of the comparisons to himself and has even spoken of Tonali in the past, whom he rated as “the best in this league”. His comments, when passing judgment on the player prior to his transfer to another of his former Milan clubs, also provide insight into his best position.

“He is very good, but he is different from me on the field,” Pirlo told Gazzetta dello Sport. “He has everything to be a champion but he’s a midfielder in a two-man midfield. He can really play for a great team. He’s the best in this league.”

Newcastle will hope those words hold true when the player steps out for the Mages in the Premier League.

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