Newcastle United are edging closer to signing Italy midfielder Sandro Tonali from Serie A side AC Milan.

In the next few days, the 23-year-old is expected to sign a six-year deal and finish his medical.

Tonali’s agent, Giuseppe Riso, told Italian media that the deal could be worth up to 80 million euros (£68.5 million) if there are add-ons.

He said that both sides are working out the last details.

“When such an important offer is received it is difficult to refuse both for the club and the player,” he said.

Riso also said that Newcastle and Tonali have agreed on personal terms.

Tonali was part of the Milan team that won the Italian title in 2021-22 and made it to the semi-finals of the Champions League last season.

He is with Italy’s team at the Under-21 European Championships right now.

Tonali grew up with Brescia and made his professional debut in Serie B when he was 17.

Brescia moved up to Serie A in 2018-19, but the club was relegated the following year. However, Tonali made his Italy debut as a substitute against Liechtenstein in October 2019.

In the summer of 2020, he joined AC Milan on loan, and after making the move permanent the next year, he scored five goals in 36 top-flight games as the club won the Italian championship in 2022.

Tonali played in 34 Serie A games and scored twice, helping the San Siro team finish fourth. He also played in 12 Champions League games, but Milan lost to rivals Inter in the semi-finals.

Photo by EPA/ROBERTO BREGANI