There has been now an official Newcastle United response to the transfer speculation media frenzy regarding Sandro Tonali on deadline day.
The timeline of what happened, what was said, yesterday is laid out below, just in case you missed it.
When Eddie Howe was taking his pre-match Manchester City media duties, the Sandro Tonali question was always going to come up.
The United boss didn’t try to dodge it.
Instead, he was more than happy to talk about Sandro Tonali.
Eddie Howe asked this morning whether he was concerned that this might be the start of a campaign similar to last year’s Alexander Isak saga, in order to unsettle Sandro Tonali?
Eddie Howe replying; “I don’t think so. But lots of things happen without my knowledge. As far as I am aware, at Newcastle United we have an outstanding person and player, who seems really happy within himself, who has a great relationship with myself and his teammates.”
The Newcastle United Head Coach spelling out the obvious reality though; “But as one of our best players, Sandro Tonali is always going to be attracting glances…and that is the reality of football. I don’t see an issue but I’m not in control of everything.”
Sandro Tonali is contracted to Newcastle United until effectively the end of June 2030, so no pressure on that front.
The midfielder having committed to a longer deal when he was suspended due to his gambling on football.
Sandro Tonali having a contract that runs until 30 June 2029 but United also having another year they have the choice to activate and add on.
Eddie Howe revealing that he had spoken to the Italy international yesterday; “Sandro Tonali is absolutely fine and I had a discussion with him yesterday. He is focused on the here and the now, playing for Newcastle United. Talking to him yesterday, his only focus was on Manchester City and trying to win this [Carabao Cup] tie. He is happy and committed. There is absolutely no issue with Sandro himself.”
The United boss adding; “I find it difficult to talk about things I don’t know too much about and I can only talk about Sandro Tonali as the person and the player, his mindset. Having discussed things with him yesterday, he is absolutely fine.”
Sandro Tonali media frenzy timeline yesterday on transfer deadline day
Opened with…
Florian Plettenberg of Sky Sports Germany claiming to have knowledge that Arsenal had already seen an initial approach by Arsenal rejected by Newcastle United.
Followed by…
Very quickly, Keith Downie, who regularly covers Newcastle United for Sky Sports (UK!) rubbished the claims of Florian Plettenberg, Downie stating; “Newcastle United have had no approach from Arsenal for Sandro Tonali, don’t expect one, and wouldn’t entertain one…there has been no talks involving the sale of the midfielder this window. If Newcastle United are unwilling to allow Joe Willock to leave due to being light in midfield, the same (but stronger) message exists for Tonali,”
Then we had…
David Ornstein of The Athletic followed up the reporting from both Sky Sports Germany and the UK Sky Sports, saying his information was that, ‘Sandro Tonali was offered to Arsenal by his agent (Beppe Riso) but there were no talks with Newcastle United and nothing will develop before Monday’s transfer deadline. The Italy international’s representative reached out to Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta over the 25-year-old midfielder, a player admired by Arsenal for a long period of time.”
The man from The Athletic going on to explain; “Part of Berta’s role is to explore such situations when they present themselves and he did so like he would any other. However, with Newcastle unwilling to do any business at this stage of the window and the theoretical asking price being far beyond Arsenal’s financial capabilities the situation will not progress any further.”
Before finally (for yesterday!)…
Sandro Tonali’s agent Beppe Riso spoke to Sky Sports Italia about the situation and especially what David Ornstein has reported about him, Riso claiming; “I read that [by David Ornstein] but Newcastle United won’t let Sandro leave in January and we never talked to Arsenal about this. We will evaluate in March whether Newcastle United are open to anything, but right now he is playing in the Champions League, it is not the right moment to talk about it.”