Newcastle ‘threaten AC Milan with multi-million pound lawsuit’ over Sandro Tonali, with £52m gambling-addict midfielder set to agree a 10-month ban over illegal betting which is set to kick in tomorrow

Newcastle have reportedly threatened AC Milan with a multi-million pound lawsuit, with midfielder Sandro Tonali preparing for a long-term ban from the sport.

Mailsport revealed on Wednesday morning that Tonali will receive a 10-month ban for illegal football betting, ruling him out for the rest of the season.

However, the ban is unlikely to officially come into effect until the Champions League match against Borussia Dortmund at St James’ Park and Tonali is available for Eddie Howe. Any suspension will only take effect from the following day.

The shock news comes less than four months after he joined the Premier League club from AC Milan for £52million.

Now, according to Corriere dello Sportthey are seriously considering filing a lawsuit against Milan as they are angry at the Italian giants for selling them a player who will now be unavailable for most of the season.

Eddie Howe’s side have reportedly threatened AC Milan with a lawsuit after signing Tonali from them in July

The Italian midfielder has admitted betting on his own teams to win games, and his agent recently claimed the 23-year-old is a gambling addict.

Tonali’s suspension includes eight months of therapy and participation in anti-gambling initiatives.

Corriere dello Sport claim Tonali’s €8million-a-year salary will be suspended by Newcastle, but the club are yet to confirm this. Mailsport.

Aston Villa’s Nicolo Zaniolo, Juventus’ Nicolo Fagioli and Newcastle United’s Tonali were all named as part of an investigation carried out by Turin prosecutors that has rocked Italian football.

Juventus midfielder Fagioli was also handed a seven-month ban last week, although the club has agreed to pay his full wages and he will continue to train with the first team.

The 22-year-old received a significant reduction from the usual minimum sentence of a three-year ban for such offenses after admitting his guilt and cooperating with officials.

Meanwhile Aston Villa confirmed that Zaniolo is assisting the investigation and recently met with senior club officials. He started in midfield for Villa against West Ham on Sunday.

Tonali similarly admitted guilt and was willing to seek treatment for what his agent described as a “gambling addiction,” in an effort to reduce a possible ban.

Tonali has made just 11 appearances for Newcastle since his summer move from Milan and has struggled to maintain consistency on Tyneside.

Tonali will be available for Newcastle’s match against Dortmund despite the threat of suspension

Juventus’ Nicolo Fagioli (L) will serve a seven-month ban, while Aston Villa’s Nicolo Zaniolo (R) has agreed to the investigation in which they were both named.

He scored on his Premier League debut in a 5-1 win against Aston Villa, but has been unable to feature since.

Nevertheless, he remains a popular player at his new club, with manager Eddie Howe promising last week that Newcastle would ‘wrap our arms around him’ to ‘protect’ the Italy international when speaking about the matter.

Tonali came off the bench in Newcastle’s 4-0 win over Crystal Palace on Saturday and received a huge reception from the fans during a lap of honor after the match.

It looked like this could be his last appearance for the club this season, but he could now face Dortmund at St James’ Park tonight.