Sandro Tonali to be given new role at Newcastle United

Sandro Tonali's future is still up for debate, with several outlets seemingly convinced that the Italian will leave Newcastle United this summer.

There's no doubt that Sandro Tonali is one of the club's most sellable assets should they feel the need to raise more capital for the summer overhaul.

However, there does appear to be a preference to keep the Italy international beyond the summer if possible, so it will all come down to how the player feels and whether Newcastle feels the need to increase their transfer budget.

Tonali's agent has made it pretty clear what his preference is, but Tonali himself hasn't hinted that he wants to leave.

Sandro Tonali could be given a leadership role

Should Tonali remain on Tyneside, The Chronicle believes that the 26-year-old will be the next player to join the leadership group.

Eddie Howe's leadership group has lost a couple of members lately, with Jamaal Lascelles and Kieran Trippier having left the club. John Ruddy was also an influential figure behind the scenes, but he's now left the club too.

Jacob Murphy is a player who could be sold in the summer, which leaves Bruno Guimaraes, Dan Burn and Nick Pope, so adding Tonali, who wore the captain's armband during the 2-1 defeat to Bournemouth, makes perfect sense.

Keep showing Sandro the love

It's a move that will also show Tonali how well he's thought of at the club, and it could convince him to stick around longer.

We're sure he knows already that he's appreciated, but gestures like this, in lieu of improved contracts, could just add that little bit more of a confirmation.

It's still not guaranteed that the Italian will be a Newcastle player when the new season kicks off, but we're pretty confident he will be.