Sandro Tonali’s agent Giuseppe Riso opened up on the Arsenal links on deadline day while hinting at a potential evaluation of his future later in the season.
In an otherwise drab deadline day and the winter transfer window as a whole, Arsenal’s links with Sandro Tonali on the final day spiced up the market to a degree. It was reported that the Gunners were looking for a Mikel Merino replacement following the midfielder’s serious injury that might see him miss the remainder of the campaign.
There are hardly any players in the market that would replace Merino for what he brings to the team. However, in a late link, it was reported that Arsenal failed with an approach for Tonali, which did come as a surprise given how important the Italian international is for Newcastle United.
The Magpies rebuffed any links to Arsenal and insisted there was never an approach made for the Italian international despite rumours. Moreover, the finances involved in signing the player who cost the Magpies £55 million in the summer of 2023 would have made any potential deal impossible.
Sandro Tonali was never expected to leave midway through the season, let alone on the final day of the transfer window, without the Magpies signing a replacement. Eddie Howe is a key man for the team in the time remaining in the season.
With Arsenal’s links opening a new world of speculation, there are suggestions that teams might make an approach to Tonali for a summer move. His agent, Giuseppe Riso’s commented on The Standard via Sky Sports, where he dismissed rumours linking the £55 million Newcastle United mainstay to Arsenal, although he hinted at a later evaluation of the midfielder’s future as the season ends.
Riso said, “Newcastle won’t let Sandro leave in January. We haven’t spoken to Arsenal about this opportunity. Juventus? This isn’t the time to talk about it. It’s not even being discussed now. We will see around March about Sandro’s valuation, but only if Newcastle decides to open doors. He’s completely focused on Newcastle’s season now; it’s a nonsense topic.”
Meanwhile, the latter part was said when asked about Juventus’s rumoured interest, with the Turin giants indeed keen on signing Sandro Tonali. As for the Newcastle United star’s future, there are considerable doubts that he could evaluate his future at St James Park should the club fail to qualify for the UEFA Champions League next season.
There will be teams like Juventus keeping close tabs, but sides such as Arsenal will be alert to the possibility, as there is a chance they will return for the midfielder.
