Arsenal are reportedly chasing a surprise deadline-day move for Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali. It's been a quiet month for the north Londoners, who haven't made any first-team signings ahead of Monday's cut-off point. However, that could be about to change in the final hours of the window as they push for Tonali's signature.
Direct talks between Arsenal and Newcastle have already taken place, according to Sky Germany, with the Gunners hoping to pull off a blockbuster move for the Italian ahead of the deadline. It would certainly come as a surprise, with no suggestion that Arsenal were interested in Tonali before their interest emerged on the last day of the window.
That said, the report adds that a deal will be extremely difficult to do because Newcastle haven't given the green light. They will almost certainly resist any attempts from Arsenal to sign Tonali with so little time remaining to find a replacement.
A move isn't completely off the table just yet, with the Premier League leaders still pushing to land the 25-year-old before the window closes.
Tonali remains tied down to Newcastle until the summer of 2029, having recently extended his deal at St James' Park with the option of a further year.
The midfielder has played in every Premier League game so far this season, making 21 starts and three substitute appearances for the Magpies.
Tonali provided the assist for Nick Woltemade's goal in Newcastle's narrow defeat at the hands of Arsenal back in September.