Sandro Tonali has made it clear that he is "happy" at Newcastle United after his Carabao Cup glory night at St James' Park.

The Italy international has featured heavily on the pages of newspapers in his home country with strong talk of interest from his old club AC Milan and Juventus. A fee of £46m had been bandied around in Italy but his head coach Eddie Howe stated he does not want to sell any of his stars last night.

Tonali grabbed both goals in the first half to put Newcastle on their way to the semi-finals of the competition for the second time in three seasons. He helped pull the strings to earn a 3-1 victory that leaves supporters dreaming about Wembley once again and Tonali talking warmly about future possibilities with United.

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With talk of his future rife, Tonali told the club's TV channel: "It was a special night for me and a special night for the fans and the team.

"It was not like a dream because everything is possible with this team, and with this gaffer. I am happy, and happy for the players because all of the players helped me in the last year and I feel the love from the players and staff every day. I'll remember this for the whole of my life."

Speaking about the rauacous cup atmosphere and just how vital beating Brentford was before the game, Tonali said: "We know the importance of it. We know the fans and all the people Newcastle know it was not a normal game."

After the game Howe spoke of his delight that Tonali was now impressing in the number 6 role after tweaking his midfield recently with Bruno Guimaraes moving further upfield.

He said: "We are starting to see the best of him [Tonali]. The tweak in position has definitely helped him, he is a lot more comfortable when he is deeper on the pitch. He is showing all the qualities that we knew when we signed him. It is just about finding the right balance for him and the team."