Tonali to Tottenham 'would be a strange move' - Howey

[Getty Images] "Losing Sandro Tonali would be a major blow," believes former Newcastle United defender Steve Howey. The 26-year-old is drawing plenty of rumours early on in the summer transfer window, with The Telegraph reporting that Arsenal , Manchester City and Tottenham are all interested in signing the £100m-rated midfielder. "I reckon Sandro Tonali would ideally fancy going back to AC Milan but there are Tottenham links there," Howey told BBC Radio Newcastle. "As fans, we are excited to see who our teams sign but we are looking over our shoulders to see if other clubs are looking at our players. "Tottenham would be a strange move to me because of where they finished the past two seasons - but it is London. "I do think the location has a pull for possibly him and his family. Even though Newcastle is a lovely place to live, it isn't London. "Plus I can't see Tottenham being anything near what they have been the past two seasons with Roberto de Zerbi in charge. It could be a case of him turning them around significantly, and Tonali might want to be a part of that. "Some people will look at it and question his loyalty, particularly after the issue at the start of his time at Newcastle, and I don't think there is any of that going on. "He is a top player. He is one of the best midfield players Newcastle have got, so losing him would be a major blow. He is a very good player, which is also the reason other clubs are looking at him. "Newcastle fans might not like it but the fact is when players are being looked at by the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool , Manchester City and Manchester United , they more than likely tend to go." Listen to more Newcastle United content on BBC Sounds