Revealed: Sandro Tonali's secret Newcastle contract signed during his betting ban

Sandro Tonali signed a secret contract extension during the time of his betting ban - and it effectively ties him to Newcastle until 2030.

Daily Mail Sport can reveal that the midfielder’s deal now expires in 2029, with an option in the club’s favour to extend by a further 12 months.

It has been widely reported that Tonali’s contract is up in 2028 and that a new deal would be a matter of urgency for new sporting director Ross Wilson.

However, under the charge of former sporting director Dan Ashworth, Newcastle extended the Italian’s terms in what has been described as a show of trust and faith from both sides.

It has proven to be a smart move by the club, who have seen Tonali return from his ban and develop into one of the Premier League’s best midfielders. His assumed contract situation had given rise to Newcastle being vulnerable to an approach from elsewhere - the 25-year-old would not be short of suitors - but the reality gives them some security.

That does not mean an improved deal will not be discussed and there is recognition of Tonali deserving the reward his performances have merited, providing he wants a new contract.

Wilson will be aware of what happened when predecessor Paul Mitchell refused to give Alexander Isak the new deal he expected, leading to the striker’s exit for Liverpool this summer.

Tonali has shown no desire to follow suit and it is said he recognises his improvement for playing in the Premier League under Eddie Howe. A mooted return to Italy at this stage of his career would not be considered.

But what he and other top stars want to see is an acceleration of the Newcastle project. To that end, the arrival of Wilson and new chief executive David Hopkinson should help reassure players and improve the club’s off-field activity.

Howe will want a player so integral as Tonali to be given what he needs to be happy on Tyneside, having identified his talent at Milan and then stood by him during the betting ban. It was in October 2023, just three months after his £52million arrival, that Tonali was banned for 10 months by Italian authorities for illegal gambling, including on his own team to win matches.

He was later given a two-month suspended ban by the Football Association for 50 breaches of English betting rules.

But since his return in August 2024, Tonali has repaid the faith of Howe and the club by helping take the team back into the Champions League and end their 70-year wait for a domestic trophy with victory in last season’s Carabao Cup final.

He is immensely popular with supporters and they will welcome news of his future at St James’ Park being more secure than previously thought.