Newcastle exploring a deal for Sandro Tonali

Newcastle will continue to explore a deal for Milan midfielder Sandro Tonali after talks with intermediaries this week.

The 23-year-old is high on the list of Eddie Howe’s preferred midfield targets and, were a price with the Serie A club to be agreed, a move would likely accelerate in the coming days.

However, sources have stressed to Mail Sport that asking prices keep on rising during such negotiations, with initial talks having centred at around £40-45million.

Newcastle have a valuation of each player within what they insist is a limited budget, and they will not go beyond that.

Sources in Italy say that a contract worth up to £150,000 per week - at the very top end of Newcastle’s wage structure - has been discussed with representatives, but striking an agreement with Milan will be the key to unlocking a deal.

However, it appears there is more likelihood of that than there was with Inter Milan over Nicolo Barella, the midfielder who the Magpies enquired about through agents last week.

Both Tonali and Barella have been watched by the club’s scouts in recent months, and Chelsea are also said to have an interest in the pair.

Newcastle sources say that several discussions with agents and clubs are currently ongoing, but they are not proving easy.

James Maddison remains of key interest - but not at the £60m Leicester want - and they have again asked about Scott McTominay, although Manchester United’s asking price north of £30m is also prohibitive at present.