Who could Newcastle have spent their money on instead of Sandro Tonali, considering he has been banned from soccer for ten months? [Image: Shutterstock.com]

Sandro Tonali suspended

Italy and Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali was banned for ten months for breaking gambling rules last week, leaving the ascending Magpies with a £55m ($66.6m)-sized hole in the middle of their team.

Tonali was the second-most expensive signing in the club’s history, as well as the most expensive Italian soccer player ever, and less than four months into his tenure in England, he was rendered unavailable. 

they’ll still feel the effects of the absence of their 23-year-old summer signing

Newcastle finished in the top four of the English Premier League a year ago and is competing in the Champions League. Reports suggest they’re interested in signing Al-Hilal’s Rúben Neves on loan as a stopgap, but they’ll still feel the effects of the absence of their 23-year-old summer signing.

The question now is who else could Newcastle have signed via transfer for the same money used on Tonali? VegasSlotsOnline News dug into the numbers to find out.

Romeo Lavia – Chelsea

A product of Manchester City’s academy, the 19-year-old Lavia is viewed as one of the midfielders with the highest potential in the Premier League. 

Chelsea snapped the Belgian up for £58m ($70.29m) from Southampton over the summer. Although he is yet to make his first appearance for the Blues due to an ankle injury suffered in training, The Athletic named him Southampton’s 2022-23 Player of the Season, and he is one to watch for the future. 

Lavia completed nearly 86% of his passes a year ago

Eddie Howe demands a lot from his midfielders. He needs them to be organized, fluid in attack, and stout defensively. Lavia completed nearly 86% of his passes a year ago, thrived as a ball carrier from deeper midfield positions, and also ranked in the 81st percentile in tackles and 89th percentile in blocks. He also fits Newcastle’s timeline of not only competing now but for years to come. 

Alexis Mac Allister – Liverpool

Alexis Mac Allister had a modest 2023…if modest includes assisting a goal in a World Cup Final (and victory), helping Brighton finish in a club-record sixth place, and earning a £35m ($42.4m) move to Liverpool. 

The Argentinian midfielder is excellent in the attacking phase of the game. He rarely loses the ball and has elite vision to progress the ball up the pitch and help the attackers receive possession in scoring positions.

Mac Allister also found the back of the net 10 times in 2022-23 and would have been a huge help to a Newcastle side that puts emphasis on scoring from midfield (18 combined Premier League goals).

Mohammed Kudus – West Ham

Kudus is a do-it-all type of player that only cost West Ham £38m ($46m) to acquire from Ajax. The 23-year-old has been deployed on both wings, as a striker, an attacking midfield, a box-to-box midfielder, and a holding six, and is one of the most versatile players in the entire world.

The Irons’ recent signing already has five goal contributions in nine matches this season after he managed 26 (18 goals, eight assists) in 42 matches a year ago. He also had an average match rating of an eye-popping 7.54, according to Infogol. 

Not only would Kudus fill the role of midfielder well for the Geordies, but he would have the ability to flex out onto the wing or even go up front if necessitated by injury. 

Matheus Nunes – Manchester City

Normally, when Man City comes knocking, that means the player in question is destined for greatness. Nunes, a 25-year-old central midfielder, shined on a relatively poor Wolves team a year ago before he signed for the reigning treble winners for exactly the same price as Tonali, £55m ($66.6m).

he’d offer functionality and fluidity to the Newcastle midfield

Nunes does not have the best counting stats, but is incredibly well-rounded as a player. He’s pacey, has great control, can move the ball around the field, and also does great defensive work. He’d offer functionality and fluidity to the Newcastle midfield if dropped in alongside the likes of Joelinton and Bruno Guimarães.

Nunes also fits the age profile of Newcastle’s team and still has room to grow as a player since he previously played for a lesser Wolves side. He would have gotten regular Champions League time too, but now he’s with the English champions.

Fabinho – Al Ittihad

Fabinho, 30, was one of many players who joined the Saudi League this summer after departing from Liverpool. But any reasonable fan will agree that he is deeply missed and the Liverpool midfield balance often feels off, if not totally non-existent without his presence.

The Brazilian defensive mid was excellent at sniffing out danger and also has the experience of winning the Premier League and Champions League under his belt. For a Newcastle team that is ahead of schedule but still has no real credentials, he would have been an invaluable resource.

At only £40m ($48.5m), this move would have cost less than Tonali. He might not have the same longevity as the Italian, but he would have made an instant impact on the squad.

Who else could £55m afford?

Jeremey Doku – £55.5m ($67.2m)

Mason Mount – £55m ($66.6m)

Manuel Ugarte – £55m ($66.6m)

Christopher Nkunku – £52m ($63m)

Moussa Diaby – £51.9m ($62.9m)

Aleksandar Mitrovic – £50m ($60.6m)

Andre Onana – £44.1m ($53.4m)

Ousamen Dembele – £43m ($52.1m)

Kim Min-Jae – £43m ($52.1m)

Cole Palmer – £40m ($48.5m)

James Maddison – £40m ($48.5m)

Marco Verratti – £39m ($47.2m)

Ryan Gravenberch – £34.2m ($41.4m)

Riyad Mahrez – £30m ($36.3m)

Sadio Mane – $30m ($36.3m)

N’Golo Kante – free

Karim Benzema- free