Newcastle United transfers: Sandro Tonali’s agent has hit back at claims his client was offered to Arsenal on transfer deadline day.
Giuseppe Riso was speaking on Sky Italia after reports emerged claiming Arsenal were exploring a move for Tonali on deadline day and that the Italian had been offered to the Premier League leaders via an intermediary.
The news initially broke via Sky Sport Germany but was quickly played down by Newcastle and numerous sources linked to the club. Later on deadline day, The Athletic’s David Ornstein later claimed that Tonali was offered to Arsenal by an agent.
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David Ornstein on Sandro Tonali
Ornstein wrote: “Sandro Tonali offered to Arsenal by agent so #AFC explored but no contact with Newcastle United; nothing will happen this window. 25yo’s camp put idea to Andrea Berta so looked into as per any player of interest. #NUFC exit now impossible.”
Tonali ended up staying at Newcastle as expected with a move to Arsenal never close, but it did mark the latest turn in a period of uncertainty regarding the Italian international’s future on Tyneside.
Sandro Tonali’s agent hits back at deadline day reports
Moments after Ornstein’s claim in The Athletic, Tonali’s agent spoke on Sky Italia.
“We never had any conversation with Arsenal,” Riso claimed. “Newcastle were never gonna let Tonali leave in January. There’s absolutely nothing into it. We didn’t even talk about it.”
He was then asked about a potential valuation for the midfielder, who has largely impressed since his £55million move from AC Milan in 2023 despite a 10-month betting ban. He remains under contract at St James’ Park until 2029 with the option of a further year.
“It’s not even being discussed now,” Riso said on Tonali’s valuation. “We will see around March about Sandro’s valuation but only if Newcastle decide to open doors.
While Tonali may be focused on the rest of the season at Newcastle, both the player and his agent have left the door open for the potential summer exit.
Sandro Tonali on NUFC future
“This is a tough question because in football, you need to think year on year,” Tonali said when asked about his future at Newcastle in November.
“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.”
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