Sandro Tonali of Newcastle United looks on during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Arsenal at St James' Park on September 28, 2025 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)placeholder image
Sandro Tonali of Newcastle United looks on during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Arsenal at St James' Park on September 28, 2025 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The agent of Sandro Tonali has addressed the Newcastle United midfielder’s future after links to Arsenal.
With Mikel Merino set to undergo surgery on a foot injury, the Premier League leaders are open to signing a midfielder on deadline day, though time is running out with the window closing at 7pm tonight.
Earlier in the day, Sky Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg claimed the Gunners were exploring a move for Tonali and that an initial approach had been rejected by Newcastle.
Sandro Tonali twist - agent speaks out after fresh Arsenal claims
Now, in a fresh twist, The Athletic claims it was Tonali’s representatives who reached out to Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta. Riso, however, says that isn’t true.
“We never had any conversation with Arsenal,” Riso told Sky Italy (via Fabrizio Romano). “Newcastle were never going to let Tonali leave in January. There’s absolutely nothing into it. We didn’t even talk about it.”
Sandro Tonali agent doesn’t rule out midfielder leaving Newcastle United this summer
While a January exit has been ruled out, Riso has suggested Tonali could leave in the summer if Newcastle are open to it. Until then, Tonali, it’s claimed, remains “completely focused” on the remainder of the campaign.
Eddie Howe’s side face an uphill task in qualifying for the Champions League again as they currently sit seven points below fifth-place Chelsea.
But all is still to play for in terms of the cups. United head to Manchester City on Wednesday in the Carabao Cup semi-final second-leg looking to overturn a two-goal deficit, whole there is a Champions League play-off and FA Cup fourth round tie to look forward to.
Riso continued: “It’s not even being discussed now. We will see around March about Sandro’s valuation but only if Newcastle decide to open doors.
“He’s completely focused on #NUFC season now, it’s nonsense topic”.
Sandro Tonali comments on his Newcastle United future
Tonali gave a far from convincing response when asked about his future back in November.
“This is a tough question because in football you need to think year on year,” said Tonali. “I don’t want to say ‘I want to stay here 10 years’ and in two years, three years, four years, five years I will go. I want to think, just for me, year on year.
“This is football. Last summer was tough for us, for Alex [Isak], but this is football.
“If you have an option for your life, for another team you need to think about everything. I don’t want to say, ‘Yes, I want to stay here for 10 years’ but now I’m happy here. I don’t think anything about another team.”
The 25-year-old is under contract at St James’ Park until 2029, which includes an option of a further year, after signing an extension as a show of loyalty during his 10-month betting ban.
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