Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has opened up on mainstay Sandro Tonali’s future amidst recent Arsenal links.
After making a name for himself at AC Milan, Sandro Tonali joined Newcastle United in the summer of 2023. While he has been doing wonders for them on the pitch, the Italian international has often been linked with a move away.
Every transfer window, multiple top clubs are linked with the 25-year-old. This time around, Arsenal have been heavily linked with Tonali. The Gunners reportedly want to sign him to further bolster their midfield.
Eddie Howe on Tonali’s situation
In the press conference prior to Newcastle United’s Carabao Cup semi-final second leg against Manchester City, Howe was asked about Sandro Tonali’s future and whether the player had become unsettled at the club, amidst interest from league leaders Arsenal.
Howe said via Sky Sports, “I don’t think so, but lots of things happen without my knowledge. As far as I’m aware, we’ve got player who is an outstanding footballer, an outstanding person. He’s very happy here, he’s got a great relationship with me, his teammates, and seems really happy within himself.
“That would surprise me [if Tonali became unsettled], but our best players will always attract glances from other clubs – that’s just the reality of football. We want to keep our group together, we want to be progressive and Sandro plays a part in that. All encompassed, I don’t see an issue but I don’t control everything.
“There was certainly no intention from our side to lose Sandro at all. He’s such an integral player to what we’re doing. He’s very happy here. He is absolutely fine. I had discussions with him yesterday [Monday] and he is absolutely focused on playing for us. His only focus is Man City and trying to win that game. There’s absolutely no issue with Sandro himself and he’s committed.”
The Magpies forked out £55 million in the summer of 2023 to sign the Italian international. They made a significant investment back in the day, and it has certainly worked out in their favour. Not only is he one of their mainstays, but he is also a leader in that dressing room.
Newcastle had no intentions of selling Sandro Tonali
Given how consistent he is, there will always be interest in his services. Howe is aware of that, but he believes Tonali is very happy at the club and has no intentions of leaving anytime soon. He enjoys a great relationship with his manager and teammates, and as long as they have an ambitious project, the former Milan star will most likely stick around.
Reports on deadline day suggested Arsenal were making moves to sign Sandro Tonali. His agents had offered the player to the North London club, and the Magpies had rejected an approach from the Gunners. However, in reality, Newcastle didn’t receive any offers or approaches from rival clubs for the 25-year-old defensive midfielder.
Even his agent Giuseppe Riso insisted that he was not offered to any other club. Tonali still has well over two years left on his deal, and since he is happy at the Tyneside club, a move away in the near future looks very unlikely. The Magpies might actually start working on a potential renewal to secure his long-term future.
