🚨 BOMBSHELL: Big Name Delivers Unexpected Verdict on Newcastle Star’s Exit as Fans Begin to Understand Why — “It Had Nothing to Do With Football”

Former England and Liverpool star John Barnes has claimed that Sandro Tonali’s exit has nothing to do with football.

Former Newcastle United player John Barnes has insisted that the Magpies will always face the challenge of players wanting to move to London.

The former England international said he was not surprised that Sandro Tonali left Newcastle to join Tottenham Hotspur for £100 million this week and believes it could become a recurring theme for transfer targets and current stars who may eventually leave St James’ Park.

Newcastle have been fighting to keep their best players but reluctantly agreed to Tonali’s departure after Anthony Gordon also left for Barcelona at the end of last season. Arsenal remain interested in Bruno Guimaraes.

Reflecting on Tonali’s move to London, Barnes told BetFred: “Except for Liverpool and Manchester United, it’s always been the same for years and years — players playing anywhere north of Birmingham want to move to London.

“As much as Newcastle United are doing better than Tottenham, there are foreign players who would still rather live in London.”

Barnes also claimed that Tonali’s decision to leave Tyneside had nothing to do with football and was instead motivated by lifestyle considerations for the Italian star and his family.

Barnes said: “Foreign players don’t have an allegiance to anywhere in England. Even though a move to Liverpool or Manchester United is a bit different, if a club from London comes calling, they’re going to go.

“When people wonder why this move could happen, it’s got nothing to do with football.”

Speaking to reporters at Milan Airport, Tonali was asked if he was happy with the deal and replied: “Absolutely. We’ve decided to make a change, so we’re ready for this new adventure.

“Newcastle wanted the best for me, and we wanted the best deal for them. So I think that when you leave like this, it’s different. We are all happy, and I am ready for the new challenge.”

When asked why he chose Spurs, Tonali said: “Let’s say Roberto De Zerbi had a big influence on this decision, and it was also a life choice. We are coming from Newcastle, and our lives changed with the birth of our child, so we decided to make a change.

“De Zerbi made a great difference and did his job very well.”