Arsenal and Manchester City are reportedly likelier to sign 25-year-old Italian international Sandro Tonali from Newcastle United than Serie A clubs in the coming months.
According to a report by Football Insider, Arsenal and Manchester City are interested in Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali. The two Premier League clubs are eager to reinforce their first-team squads by signing a versatile midfielder in the summer transfer window.
The Premier League giants are not alone in the battle for Tonali’s signature, as Serie A clubs are also keen on signing him in the upcoming transfer window. However, the latest report has brought bad news for the Italian outfits, as Arsenal and Manchester City are better-placed to land the Newcastle United mainstay this summer.
Sandro Tonali and his Newcastle United spell so far
Sandro Tonali has established himself as one of the best players in the Premier League since joining Newcastle United from AC Milan in a deal worth £55 million in July 2023. The 25-year-old has made significant progress in the last two and a half years, even though there was a brief setback of missing most of his debut season due to a betting ban.
Tonali has been exceptional in the 2025/26 season, chipping in with three goals and seven assists in 47 appearances thus far. However, the Italian midfielder’s future is uncertain amid mounting speculation surrounding him. Arsenal and Manchester City are among the prospective suitors vying for his signature.
A man in demand
Arsenal contemplated a late move for Sandro Tonali in the winter transfer window, but it did not materialise. The continued interest is somewhat surprising, as Mikel Arteta has a stacked midfield unit in his squad. However, with Christian Norgaard on the wrong side of 30, Arsenal should look for a younger midfielder who can allow Mikel Arteta to rotate Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi while providing the tactical versatility of opting for different systems within games.
As for Manchester City, they may dip into the market for a holding midfielder this summer, even though Pep Guardiola has several options for the middle of the park. However, Rodri has not been at his best since returning from a long-term knee injury. Additionally, Nico Gonzalez has yet to win over the Manchester City manager despite being a consistent performer.
Meanwhile, it is hardly surprising that Arsenal and Manchester City are the front-runners to sign Tonali, as Newcastle United will demand a hefty fee to part ways with the 25-year-old Italian international. While the latest update has not mentioned a price tag, recent reports have suggested he will cost around £80-100 million, placing him out of Serie A clubs’ usual budgets.