Milan midfielder Sandro Tonali insists he wants to stay despite rumours linking him with Arsenal and dedicates his new tattoo to Rossoneri fans.
The Italy international is ready to start his third season at Milan, his second one since he joined the club permanently from Brescia.
Tonali was initially loaned to Milan in 2020 and the Serie A giants signed him on a permanent deal a year ago. Tonali, a lifelong Milan fan, agreed to take a pay cut in order to return to the club after his loan spell.
“It was the right thing to do and my development has been a natural consequence,” he told Sette Magazine.
“Being in a team permanently is not like being out on loan. It’s a detail that alone counts little, but makes the difference by adding other factors.
“If you play badly while on loan, you can be worried the club won’t sign you. I joined Milan at the right moment and I want to stay.”
Reports in the UK had linked Arsenal with Tonali, but the Rossoneri insist they haven’t received any offer, and the 22-year-old isn’t considering leaving his favourite club.
Milan kick-off the new Serie A season tomorrow by hosting Udinese at the Stadio Meazza. What does Tonali make of pundits saying Inter and Juve are favourites for the title?
“We are alone with our fans, we are not concerned by the things the others say, like last season. We can’t change what people think, it makes us reflect, but we are not bothered,” the midfielder said.
The Rossoneri want to retain the title won last season.
“After Giroud’s brace in the derby, we understood that we were there. A mistake from Inter was enough, but we had to be strong mentally. It was hard to play the last five games knowing we only had a result.
“Why did we win? It was a mix of factors, but Pioli was decisive, he was in a difficult situation when he started.”
The interview ends with a message to Milan fans. “I want to show them my new tattoo. There’s written impossible, but with a red line cancelling the letters I and M. Nothing is impossible, this is my message.”
Man, I miss these type of players, the one who truly loves the team and grow to be the bandiera of the club. Players like Baresi, Maldini, Totti, De Rossi, Zanetti, etc, who would bled to death for the sake of their team. I sincerely hope that Tonali, Barella, Pellegrini,etc would all remain in their respective teams until they retired.
Tonali is our future captain
Great to hear !
Milan know what a jewel they have here. Let him progress to greatness !
Forza Sandro
I love to see that kid a Mikan for rest of my life
Otherwise I am going with lecee
Joke off a article – arsenal cant afford him, top player like barella – wish juve bought both of them.
Can see both players staying and becoming captains