Arsenal have reportedly made a late January approach to sign a Newcastle United midfielder after Mikel Merino’s injury.
The Gunners are in a fantastic spot after their 4-0 win against Leeds United over the weekend, six points clear at the top of the Premier League table. However, it wasn’t all good during the game, as midfielder Mikel Merino had to be taken off with a foot injury.
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It has since emerged that Merino’s injury is a serious one, and it is set to keep him out for the majority of the rest of the season. Arsenal released a club statement after the game, it read: “Mikel will have surgery in the coming days and will then begin his recovery and rehabilitation programme.
“Mikel is expected to be out of action for an extended period, with the aim of returning to full training before the end of the season.”
Arsenal see approach rejected for Newcastle star
Transfer deadline day is always full of surprise reports, but perhaps the biggest has come from Sky Sports Journalist Florian Plettenberg, who claims that Arsenal have seen an approach for Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali rejected,
Plettenberg claims the deal would be very difficult for the Gunners to complete, but has said that Arsenal hope to secure the Italian international before the 7 pm deadline.
🚨💣 EXCLUSIVE | Arsenal are exploring a surprising Deadline Day move for Sandro #Tonali.
Very difficult at this stage, as Newcastle have rejected an initial approach.@SkySportDE 🇮🇹 pic.twitter.com/13lSEw5pmK
— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) February 2, 2026
Tonali has an estimated market value of £65m, but seeing as Newcastle, and the rest of the Premier League views him as one of the best midfielders in the division, they would likely demand a much higher fee to let him leave in the middle of the season, especially as they are in the Champions League still.
The Gunners don’t need a midfielder
This deal feels like it has ended as soon as it started, as the need for a midfielder at the Emirates really isn’t that strong, despite Merino’s recent foot injury.
Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi have the starting spots already occupied, with Merino playing a backup role. Furthermore, now that Kai Havertz is back from injury, Arteta has an extra option for the attacking midfielder spot alongside Martin Odegaard and Eberechi Eze.
Not to forget, that Arsenal also signed Brentford’s Christian Norgaard in the summer to add some more depth in the holding midfield role.
Click here to see every Premier League transfer during the January window.