Newcastle United reportedly bracing for £50m summer assault from three big European sides

Another ridiculous story linking one of our top players with a move away from Newcastle United this summer is gaining traction today but there are sizeable holes in the story.

The crazy Alexander Isak rumours are dying down as the media comes to terms with the fact that he looks set to stay at Newcastle beyond this season.

However, while we get a bit of respite from that, attention has again turned towards midfielder Sandro Tonali.

The Italy international has been a revelation on Tyneside since his £55 million arrival from AC Milan. Albeit after an enforced 10-month absence due to breaching betting rules.

AC Milan, Juventus and Barcelona all want Sandro Tonali this summer

Tonali served his suspension for much of last season and the first couple of games of this campaign but since his return has made some very impressive outings for Newcastle.

Whenever anyone has a run of good games, the rumour mill inevitably whirrs into action and while Tonali has been desperately linked with a move back to Italy by the press over there, Caught Offside now believe that three of Europe's top sides are coming for our Italian maestro.

Their report suggests Barcelona, Juventus, and, of course, AC Milan are all considering a €60 million (£50 million) raid on Newcastle for the 24-year-old this summer.

€60 million is less than Newcastle paid for Sandro Tonali in the first place

Their report wheels out the 'homesick' excuse which was invented by the Italian press to give Milan fans hope that he'd return sooner rather than later, but there has been nothing to suggest that Tonali isn't loving life on Tyneside.

Perhaps the biggest hole in this story, beyond those three clubs not actually being able to afford Tonali due to financial issues, is that they claim their bid will be in the region of €60 million (£50 million), which is of course, less than we paid for him two years ago.

It's a story that just doesn't add up, but to give Caught Offside credit, they don't say at any point that the transfer is likely to happen, instead reporting that Newcastle are likely to resist any offers.

We're confident that Tonali himself has no desire to leave the club either. He still feels he owes us after standing by him through his ban, and after helping the club lift its first trophy in 56 years, he's certainly started to pay that back, but that Carabao Cup was proof to him, and all of our other stars, that this club can win things. It's a perfect reason to stick around.