Sandro Tonali rumours shut down as odd claims emerge from Milan

Eddie Howe has responded to reports that Sandro Tonali is being targeted by Real Madrid amid suggestions AC Milan will be entitled to 10% of any sale Newcastle make.

The Toon midfielder has enjoyed a mixed start to the season, taking time to settle into his role at Newcastle but looking particularly impressive on the international stage with Italy.

Following his return from 10-month ban for illegal betting, reports in Milan state that he is being monitored by Real Madrid. It's an odd story given the side already has the likes of Jude Bellingham, Federico Valverde, Aurelien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga in their ranks, but what made it even more peculiar was the suggestion that the Magpies would be open to selling the former AC Milan maestro for a fee of £41.5m.

It's also thought that Milan will be entitled to a 10% sell-on fee, but Howe claimed that he is extremely happy with the player and is focused on integrating the Italian into his side, not letting him go.

Speaking in a recent press conference, Howe said: "That one is news to me. It is not something I am contemplating. I am trying to build Sandro into the team after his ban.

"He has performed really well the last few games. I have been really pleased with how he is finding his feet in the team. He is building new relationships. It is not just the player coming into the team it is also the players around Sandro and how those relationships start to form. I have been pleased how they have."

Howe continued: "He has been very good psychologically, his attitude has been excellent and I am really hopeful for the future of him in our team."

Howe said: "We have held a lot of individual meetings with him. A lot of tactical reviews. It is one thing reviewing his training performances but that is totally different from reviewing his match performances and find ways of taking his game to another level. It is a lot easier when a player is in the team.

"I have pleased the way he has come back from his ban. The international games have helped him and he has made a good transition back into the team."