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Sandro Tonali of Newcastle United FC (8) arrives for the Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC at St James' Park on September 01, 2024 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England.
Arsenal were linked with Sandro Tonali earlier this week(Image: Newcastle United via Getty Image)
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Transfer talk still surrounds Arsenal despite the January window shutting earlier this week. The Gunners, after a quiet month in terms of signings, added two more academy talents to their youth ranks.
They managed to sign both Stoke City defender Jaden Dixon, 18, and St Mirren striker Evan Mooney, 18, for a combined sum of around £1million as part of their new focus on signing teenage wonderkids.
Following the Carabao Cup semi-final clash against Chelsea on Tuesday night, Mikel Arteta’s men will shift their focus to the Premier League, where they face this season’s surprise package Sunderland at the Emirates Stadium.
Howe addresses Tonali rumours
Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe has played down rumours regarding Sandro Tonali’s potential move to Arsenal. There were reports on transfer deadline day that the Italian midfielder’s agent had offered the player to Arsenal, who were said to be interested in a deal before Newcastle rejected their bid.
It was then widely reported that no such offer had come in, while Tonali’s agent Giuseppe Riso insisted he had not offered the player to other clubs. Despite some concerns that Tonali could look to force a move away, Howe insisted the Magpies would not endure another protracted transfer saga like the Alexander Isak one last summer.
When asked if Tonali might become unsettled by the rumours, he said: "I don't think so but lots of things happen without my knowledge. As far as I'm aware, we've got a player who is an outstanding footballer, an outstanding person. He's very happy here, he's got a great relationship with me, his team-mates and seems really happy within himself.
"That would surprise me [if Tonali became unsettled] but our best players will always attract glances from other clubs - that's just the reality of football. We want to keep our group together, we want to be progressive and Sandro plays a part in that. All encompassed, I don't see an issue but I don't control everything.
"There was certainly no intention from our side to lose Sandro at all. He's such an integral player to what we're doing. He's very happy here. He is absolutely fine. I had discussions with him yesterday [Monday] and he is absolutely focused on playing for us.”
Oxlade-Chamberlain loophole
Eberechi Eze is of Arsenal is challenged by former arsenal player Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain during the Arsenal training session at Sobha Realty Training Centre on January 27, 2026 in London Colney, England
Arsenal can still sign Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain(Image: Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
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Despite the Premier League transfer window officially being closed, Arsenal have a brief opportunity to finalise one more deal, should they want to sign Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain as a free agent.
The former Arsenal midfielder, who left Besiktas in August, is currently without a club. He has been training with the north Londoners in recent months and even played for the Under-21s against Manchester United in a behind closed doors friendly in December.
Oxlade-Chamberlain’s first deadline to secure a new club is Thursday, February 5. However, a little-known rule permits clubs to sign players until March 25 if they leave any of their 25 senior player slots vacant when submitting their squads later this week.
Arsenal have only filled 21 of their 25 senior spots so far. And with midfielder Mikel Merino set for a long period on the sidelines with a broken foot, Arteta may yet gamble on signing his 32-year-old former Gunners team-mate to help fill the void.
The manager refused to rule it out ahead of the Chelsea Carabao Cup home tie, saying: "We explore every option."
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