Newcastle could target Everton star in January as club wait for Sandro Tonali news

Newcastle United are reportedly keeping an eye on Everton’s Amadou Onana following the Sandro Tonali news.

It was revealed last week that midfielder Tonali had admitted to betting on football matches, including those involving AC Milan, who he was then playing for.

Italy’s Football Federation and the prosecutor’s office (FIGC) will soon reveal the length of his ban, with illegal gambling potentially carrying a ban of up to three years. However, Tonali has been co-operating with the investigation and they are hoping for a shorter sentence.

As a result, it has left the debate over how best to fill the Tonali void, who had been earmarked as a key player for the present and future who is now expected to be out for an extended period of time.

With potential Champions League knockout games to look forward to and a top-four race to contend with, simply promoting the likes of Elliot Anderson (who is highly rated) or 17-year-old Lewis Miley may not be enough for them to reach their goals.

Therefore, Everton’s Onana, who was a previous target during the summer, could be revisited during the January window.

According to iNews: ‘Onana is another midfielder they have monitored. The Toffees expected interest in the Belgium international in the summer and were prepared to deal at the right price – but no bids arrived. Their precarious financial situation may force them to listen to offers again in January.’

The Belgian midfielder’s current deal expires in 2027 and it would likely take a big offer for the club to part ways with one of their key players. After all, he’s become a key starter for club and country and is always improving at just 22 years of age.

He’s started all nine games in the league this season and with reports in the summer of figures around £50m being touted for his signing, Newcastle would no doubt need to cough up a similar fee, if not more.

Of course, with Everton’s financial restrictions, there’s always a chance they could consider such a move; they allowed young talent Anthony Gordon to join the Magpies for a £40m fee, and he has since gone on to win the Player of the Tournament at the U21 European Championships and become a starter under Eddie Howe.