Juventus get majorly disappointing Sandro Tonali transfer news

Juventus have been dreaming of signing Sandro Tonali for years, and even though there have been transfer rumors linking the Newcastle United star with a return to Serie A, it sounds like those rumblings may have been wide of the mark.

According to a fresh new report from Newcastle beat writer Craig Hope of the Daily Mail, Tonali is not actually planning on returning to Italy, where he once played for both Brescia and AC Milan.

Per Hope, Tonali actually believes that staying with Newcastle and playing under Eddie Howe is better for his career. Tonali reportedly believes that the Premier League is stronger and more competitive than Serie A.

If that’s the case, then it does not fully rule out a Manchester United or Arsenal transfer for Tonali, who is wanted by many clubs around Europe, though it does make it seem like Tonali does not intend on leaving St. James’s Park in the near future.

As for Serie A clubs, specifically Juventus, this report is pretty biting. Serie A clubs have been exposed badly in the Champions League, with only Atalanta making it to the Round of 16 after Inter Milan and Juve’s calamitous losses to underdogs Bodo Glimt and Galatasaray, respectively. Meanwhile, reigning champions Napoli didn’t even make it out of the league phase.

Juventus have enjoyed a resurgent season from Manuel Locatelli and brilliance from American Weston McKennie, who just penned a deserved contract extension. But the midfield lacks another artist alongside Locatelli, so not being able to bring former Milan rival Tonali back to Italy is a bitter pill for Giorgio Chiellini and Co. to swallow.