Arsenal have reportedly made fresh contact over Sandro Tonali as Newcastle United prepare to navigate increasing interest in the Italy international throughout the summer.
According to The Mirror, Arsenal have “made calls” in recent days to gauge Tonali’s availability after first being linked with the Italy international during the January window.
“Arsenal have reportedly made calls in recent days in an effort to secure Sandro Tonali’s signature,” The Mirror’s Kasra Moradi wrote. “The Newcastle midfielder,
26, emerged as a transfer target late in the January window, when Arsenal were alerted to his interest in a move.”
The report credits Fabrizio Romano with saying Arsenal recently made contact to assess whether a deal could be possible.
Tonali remains one of Newcastle’s most valuable players after Anthony Gordon’s sale and is under contract until at least 2029, with the club holding an option to extend his deal for another year.
Chronicle Live’s Lee Ryder reported that Newcastle will not entertain bids below £100million, which pretty much sets the bar for Arsenal in terms of the minimum bid they’ll need to submit to extract the Italian from Tyneside.
“Newcastle United won’t entertain bids beneath £100million this summer for Sandro Tonali,” Ryder reported.
While Tonali has not formally requested a transfer, it’s fair to assume Newcastle might be smelling something. The lack of European football in Tyneside next season, as well as a need to sell for a profit before buying new players, could also make the situation one to watch and end up with Tonali clad in white and red come September.
“Like Gordon, Tonali is not agitating to leave Newcastle, but knows the club are being forced into unpopular sales to comply with SCR rules and need to sell in order to buy,” Ryder wrote.
Manchester United have also been linked to Tonali, but a potential offer would depend on whether or not they win the race for former NUFC midfielder Elliotte Anderson. Meanwhile, Arsenal seems to be the most interested party in the Italian.
For Newcastle, the stance is clear, and any Tonali exit would have to happen on their terms and at a humongous price of admission.
