Shaka Hislop uses ‘bargain’ 23-year-old to justify Newcastle’s Tonali transfer fee

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Newcastle United are set to make their first big splash of the 2023 summer transfer window, with Sandro Tonali due to arrive on Tyneside.

The Magpies have agreed a club record fee for the 23-year-old, who is reportedly going to sign a six-year deal with Eddie Howe’s side.

The move is a huge statement of intent, as Howe prepares to secure the midfielder of his dreams. He has been desperate to sign a ‘number six’ to free up Bruno Guimaraes, and it looks like he will be getting that and more with Tonali.

Newcastle are on the brink of a major signing, with the Toon owners investing a huge amount of money to ensure Howe’s squad is stronger than it was last season. The move could cost £64.6million in total, which is more than Newcastle have ever spent on a player.

It means Tonali will become the club’s record signing, replacing Alexander Isak, who took that honour last summer when he arrived for £63million from Real Sociedad.

There were questions over that fee at the time, but the 23-year-old has proven that he is going to be a superstar on Tyneside after a spectacular first season with the club.

And former Toon goalkeeper Shaka Hislop thinks Isak’s performances after arriving for such a big fee means that the amount Tonali is going to cost should not be questioned.

Shaka Hislop thinks Alexander Isak was a ‘bargain’ in the end

Hislop has spoke about the Tonali deal on ESPN’s official YouTube channel, and pointed to Alexander Isak amid question marks over the fee Newcastle are going to pay.

“As much as you may question the price tag about Tonali, I certainly questioned the price tag around Alexander Isak 12 months ago,” he said.

“Given his performances, he was an absolute bargain, so I think Eddie Howe has earned this little bit of wiggle room in terms of not questioning the prices that he’s willing to pay. Not just yet.”

Hopefully the Tonali transfer is just as good as Isak

Calling a £63million signing a ‘bargain’ is a bit over the top, but we see where Hislop is coming from. The forward has already proven that he was not overpriced, and that he is someone who is going to play a major role in Newcastle’s future.

The hope will be that Tonali can do the same. He is also 23, and is also costing Newcastle more than £60million.

But the Toon recruitment team have done such a good job that fans must trust that the club are getting a good deal. They have shown a willingness to not overspend, so they must believe that Tonali is worth this type of investment.

Only time will tell, but we certainly back the club’s decision to go all out for Tonali, even if fans of other teams will argue otherwise.