Sandro Tonali had been linked with a Deadline Day move to Arsenal.placeholder image
Sandro Tonali had been linked with a Deadline Day move to Arsenal. | Getty Images
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta had hinted at a potential midfield incoming at the start of Deadline Day.
The 25-year-old has been an important part of the Magpies first team since arriving from AC Milan in 2023 and has made 35 appearances across all competitions this season. One of the first names on the teamsheet, the links with a move to the Emirates Stadium would have made for a shock exit.
The transfer interest came after Arsenal confirmed that midfielder Mikel Merino would require surgery on a foot injury and face a fight to return before the end of the season. In his press conference on Monday, Gunners manager Mikel Arteta had hinted at a potential incoming.
Arsenal linked with Deadline Day move for Newcastle United midfielder
He said: “Of course, when you lose a big player like this in the squad with four months to go and all the competitions to play for, you need to look and we need to do everything that we possibly can to see if we have a player that is available. If we don't, we keep what we have.
“At this level, especially for four months, you have to be a player who has the capacity to adapt immediately and impact the team, and that's not easy. But if it was easy, we wouldn't be here. So we need to find solutions and try.”
Early on Deadline Day, links with Tonali then began but the rumours never took off as the hours went by before the window slammed shut. The midfielder’s agent Giuseppe Riso had denied speaking to Arsenal but, in an interview with Sky Italia, admitted "that's something we will do in March or April if Newcastle are open to it".
Eddie Howe addresses Sandro Tonali rumours
Speaking on Tuesday, Howe addressed the transfer rumours and stated that there was only one club on Tonali’s mind yesterday - that being Manchester City ahead of the Magpies journey to the Etihad Stadium in the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg on Wednesday.
Howe said: "His only focus was on Manchester City and trying to win that game so there's absolutely no issue with Sandro himself. He's very happy and committed so I find it difficult to talk about things I don't know too much about.
"I can only talk about Sandro as the person and player, and his mindset here and now. Having discussed things with him yesterday, he's absolutely fine."
Tonali had addressed his future in November and, while maintaining his commitment to Newcastle United, didn’t appear to rule out an exit. Following a Champions League win against Athletic Club in November, he said: "This is a tough question because, you know, [in] football you need to think year for year. I don't want to say I want to stay here 10 years and in two years, three years, four years [or] five years I will go."
In other news, Arsenal vs Chelsea confirmed injury news as 7 ruled out and 2 doubts for Carabao Cup semi-final.
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