Sandro Tonali's agent is at it again - After causing chaos last month the Newcastle United midfielder's agent is dropping not so subtle hints
At the end of the January transfer window, a media storm kicked up, suggesting that Arsenal were going to make a bid for Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali.
It created a whiplash effect of stories as the rumour surfaced and was immediately batted down, but as the dust settled, another rumour flared up that Tonali's agent had been shopping the midfielder out to other clubs.
Tonali's agent, Giuseppe Riso, ultimately denied the claims, but his choice of words when talking about Tonali's future left the door wide open for more speculation.
Essentially, Riso spoke about revisiting Tonali's value closer to the end of the season as if he was looking to try and find the Italian a new club before next season.
Giuseppe Riso really needs to stop flapping his gums
It's worth noting that nothing is coming from the player himself, who still seems very happy on Tyneside, but Riso has been speaking to Italian outlet Calcio & Finanza, and he's implied that the move to Newcastle was in order to put him in the shop window for 'bigger clubs'.
"The deal came about because a club like Newcastle with unlimited financial resources had decided to invest in Sandro. We considered the idea of having the player play in a higher-level league.”
When asked about a potential move to Arsenal or Manchester City, Riso explained that it was the goal when Tonali arrived in England.
“Exactly, that was the goal from the moment he went to England – to try to make him a star player. I think he’s the Italian footballer with one of the highest values in the world."
Agents really need to get in the bin
At this point, it's becoming clear that Riso is chasing another big payday with a nice big commission cheque by moving Sandro Tonali on, and he's going to make it happen whether Tonali wants it or not.
Or indeed, whether any other clubs want it or not, as it was revealed this week that Arsenal are no longer interested.
Giuseppe Riso is exactly what is wrong with the modern game and has been for some time. Agents have too much influence over players, and their motives are purely money-driven with little to no concern over the players' actual wants and needs.
