22 June 2026·By Paul Lindisfarne
Sandro Tonali would choose Arsenal over Tottenham if both clubs agreed a deal with Newcastle United — but no club has yet come close to matching the asking price, with Tottenham's opening bid having already been rejected.
According to the _Daily Mail_, Arsenal would be Tonali's preferred destination if he leaves St James' Park.
The report states he is open to a move to Spurs but that their north London rivals represent his ideal landing spot. Tottenham are the only club to have submitted a bid so far, and Newcastle United rejected it last week. The Magpies are holding out for £100 million.
Fabrizio Romano has confirmed Arsenal have been in contact for weeks over Tonali, with manager Mikel Arteta and sporting director Andrea Berta both pushing for the deal. However, Newcastle's valuation has so far kept any move out of reach.
Tonali, 26, has not featured at the World Cup and his situation is expected to move more quickly than most. The Italian midfielder joined Newcastle in the summer of 2023 for £52 million but served an initial ten-month ban for betting violations shortly after his arrival. He has since repaid the club's faith with a series of impressive performances, and Newcastle are publicly committed to keeping him.
The coming weeks will clarify whether any club blinks first on the asking price.