Stefano Pioli claims Sandro Tonali’s £52m move to Newcastle was a ‘good opportunity’ for everyone

AC Milan manager Stefano Pioli has claimed the £52m sale of Sandro Tonali to Newcastle was a ‘good opportunity’ for everyone involved.

Tonali – who touched down in Newcastle last week – was a key player for Milan, racking up 130 appearances across the past three seasons.

At the age of 23 and already an Italy international, he was seen as one of the major talents at the club and had been tipped to stay with the Italian giants for the majority of his career.

He helped them win the Scudetto in 2021-22, while he also impressed as the Rossoneri reached the semi-final of the Champions League last season.

However, despite the disappointment of losing such a key player, Pioli hinted it was a move that made sense for everyone involved.

Milan boss Stefano Pioli claimed it was a transfer that was a ‘good opportunity’ for everyone 

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‘It’s a big loss from a technical perspective and he must be replaced properly,’ the 57-year-old said as he addressed the media at the beginning of Milan’s pre-season. 

‘(But) It was a good opportunity for both parties and him, it was difficult to do something different.’

Tonali’s exit also leaves Milan light in midfield – despite the arrival of Ruben Loftus-Cheek from Chelsea – with Ismael Bennacer currently absent for the long-term with a knee injury.

Elsewhere, there has been significant movement behind-the-scenes at the club over the summer with club legend and former technical technical director Paolo Maldini sacked from his role last month.

Their transfer activity is being undertaken by CEO Giorgio Furlani and chief scout Geoffrey Moncada, with director of football Ricky Massara having also recently left.

Tonali (left) was a key player for Milan and helped them win the Scudetto in 2022 (pictured)

Pioli also admitted how he often argued with Milan’s former technical director Paolo Maldini 

And Pioli extended his gratitude to both Massara and Maldini for bringing him to the club in 2019, but admitted they didn’t always see eye-to-eye on matters.

He added: ‘I want to thank Maldini and Massara. If I am here, it’s also thanks to them. 

‘I’ve always felt at the centre of the project. I used to talk to Paolo and Ricky, now with Moncada and Furlani. I’ve worked a lot this month. 

‘I spoke to players who could have joined us in the past, so my work hasn’t changed much. Our transfer window will be based on ideas.

‘We had an excellent relationship. Of course, there were some arguments, especially when we won the title, but respect was always there.’

Milan will be hoping to build on last season’s fourth place finish that came after a mixed year.

Having headed into the season as reigning champions, they fought back well in the latter part but still ended with 16 fewer points than their title-winning campaign. 

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