With the calendar flipping to November, the January transfer window is another month closer and the Paris Saint-Germain transfer rumors are swirling.
One transfer rumor I’ve been keeping an eye on involves Brescia Calcio’s Sandro Tonali. According to Paris United, PSG has been keen on signing the 19-year-old since last summer and has sent scouts to watch his games as recently as October 29, 2019.
#Leonardo is really interested in Sandro #Tonali (2000) for the next season. Tonight #PSG have sent his scout in Italy to observe him in Brescia-Inter. #transfers
— Nicolò Schira (@NicoSchira) October 29, 2019
The central-midfielder is thought to be like Marco Verratti who joined PSG from Pescara in 2012. Tonali is taller than Verratti and plays more like a defensive midfielder capable of firing a strong shot on goal if called upon.
Speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport (via Football Espana), Brescia president Massimo Cellino confirmed PSG’s interest in the player nicknamed “the new Andrea Pirlo.”
“All the big Italian clubs are interested,” Cellino said. “Abroad there’s Atlético Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, and Manchester City, but in my view, he’d be better off remaining as a protagonist with Brescia.”
PSG manager Thomas Tuchel reportedly prefers to allow Marquinhos to continue to grow into the defensive midfield role according to Paris United (via CalcioMercato.com) but after letting so many young players leave during last summer’s transfer window, PSG may want to restock their talent pool and bring in a player like Tonali who has a market value of €30 million according to Transfermarkt.
With several former Serie A players in the team already (Thiago Silva, Verratti, Edinson Cavani), Tonali would have plenty of veterans to look up to and PSG sporting director Leonardo’s familiarity with the Italian league from his time with AC Milan could benefit PSG in landing the talented youngster ahead of other interested teams.
Cellino may not want to sell his prized asset but with Brescia in the relegation zone having just come up from Serie B, January may be the time to cash in before being sent back down.
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