A former Newcastle United midfielder has backed a potential Arsenal bid for Sandro Tonali.
Former Newcastle United midfielder Jermaine Jenas believes Sandro Tonali would be a good fit for Arsenal.
As it stands, the Gunners maintain a distant interest in the Italian. It is their bitter rivals, Tottenham Hotspur, who surprisingly had a bid rejected last week.
Newcastle turned down a £75million offer - with Tonali valued closer to the £100million mark. His agent, Beppe Riso, made no secret of the midfielder’s desire to explore his options when speaking to the media earlier this year.
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Jermaine Jenas on Sandro Tonali
Ex-Toon midfielder Jenas has backed Arsenal to hijack a Spurs move for Tonali, drawing parallels to the Eberechi Eze saga last year. He has called the Toon ace an upgrade on Martin Zubimendi, who partnered Declan Rice in the engine room for their title-winning campaign.
“I think Sandro Tonali is one of the best midfielders in the Premier League, in my opinion,” Jenas told Metro. “He had his misdemeanour, came back, and I thought his attitude from that exact point onward has been brilliant.
“He’s a dictator of a game. He sets the pace and sets the tone every time he plays. He did the same when he was at AC Milan. When I look at that Arsenal midfield, I was never fully convinced by Martin Zubimendi, if I’m honest with you.
“I think he’s a decent, solid player, but Tonali would definitely be a level up in that midfield alongside Declan Rice. Though I am a bit surprised that Arsenal’s focus isn’t more forward-thinking than that. I don’t think their midfield is terrible, you’ve got young Myles Lewis-Skelly who has the ability to step in there as well.
“So Tonali is a great player, and it would be a good move, but I don’t think it’s exactly what they desperately need. I still think they need a proper, out-and-out striker and a specialist on that left wing.”
What Italy exit means for Newcastle United
Last month, Tonali’s agent told the Italian press that his future will be decided after the World Cup. Those plans were dashed when Italy failed to qualify but, in comments that will infuriate Newcastle fans, he also claimed a move to Manchester City or Arsenal is very likely.
“That was the aim from the moment he went to England - to try and turn him into a star player,” Riso said. “I think he’s the Italian player with one of the highest values in the world. I don’t know (whether he will join Man City or Arsenal) but it’s very likely.
“Everyone is waiting for the World Cup. Then a thousand scenarios will unfold, but it all kicks off after the World Cup.”
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