Real Madrid have made several decisions in the transfer market that have raised eyebrows in recent years. The obsession with resisting conducting January business is becoming an issue because an injury crisis that has ensured this season could have been addressed.
Florentino Perez will task his transfer chiefs with overseeing a major rebuild this summer. The midfield is an area where one or two new faces could arrive at the Estadio Bernabeu.
Several top European midfielders have been linked with Madrid and the Premier League could be a focus. It appears that Los Blancos were given the chance to beat Arsenal to a signing but have opted against doing so.
Real Madrid resist battling Arsenal for Premier League star
Sandro Tonali's future at Newcastle United is uncertain and he was linked with a move to Arsenal in January. Defensa Central reports that the Gunners tried to sign the Italian but their Premier League rivals refused to sell.
A potential deal could be revisited this summer and it's thought that at least €90 million will be the asking price. The midfielder seems to want out of St James' Park but Mikel Arteta's league leaders aren't the only potential suitors.
The report claims that Tonali's agent contacted Madrid about the possibility of the La Liga giants making a move for the 25-year-old. He has been one of the Magpies' most important players this season but the risk of missing out on Champions League football seems to be concerning the former AC Milan man.
A move to the Bernabeu doesn't look likely though because the Spanish club's response is a negative one. They feel the valuation of the Italian is "excessive" and intend to focus on other targets.
Tonali has been a mainstay in Newcastle's midfield this season, appearing 36 times across competitions and providing five assists. He is a box-to-box midfielder who is excellent on the ball and still has years ahead of him.
Madrid should consider Tonali
The decision not to try and pursue Tonali makes sense given Madrid's current strategy is to sign youth with huge potential and develop them. But a player of the Italian's age and ability should be considered given a clear need for more experience and reliability in midfield.
Los Blancos should see if Newcastle will lower their asking price and this could be aided by a desire to sell to a club outside the Premier League. The fact that Arsenal are interested speaks volumes of just how highly he is rated in England.