AC Milan's star forward Rafael Leao admits he didn't think Sandro Tonali would leave the club this summer. Newcastle United confirmed the arrival of the highly rated Italian international on Monday in a move that took the rest of the Premier League by surprise.
The Magpies approach for the 23-year-old Italian international went under the radar and uncontested as they secured the next piece in their Champions League jigsaw. Tonali is expected to play alongside Bruno Guimaraes in the heart of midfield and possesses all the key attributes to play in an Eddie Howe side.
Once dubbed the next Andrea Pirlo - who also started his career at Brescia - those comparisons have faded and changed into 'the next Gattuso.' Former team-mate Leao - who was once tipped for a big money move to Chelsea - says he saw Tonali staying at the club for many years to come.
The box-to-box Italian workhorse grew up supporting AC Milan and won the Serie A title with his boyhood club. Tipped to become a club legend in the mould of Paolo Maldini and co - Milanista's weren't the only ones shocked to see Tonali leave.
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“He is an important player for us, I didn’t expect him to leave. He made the difference in midfield, I saw him as Gattuso’s heir because he’s been a Milan fan since he was a child, he was someone I would see at Milan for many years,” Leao told his YouTube channel.
“We have a good relationship, I wish him good luck for the U21 Euros [with the video filmed prior to Italy's tournament exit] and much success in his new adventure.”
