Newcastle United transfer latest as Tonali hint over summer exit
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - JANUARY 25: Sandro Tonali of Newcastle United (8) during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Aston Villa at St James' Park on January 25, 2026 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Michelle Mercer/Newcastle United via Getty Images)
Sandro Tonali was linked to Arsenal(Image: Michelle Mercer, Newcastle United via Getty Images)
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Sandro Tonali's agent has dropped a bombshell on Newcastle United by admitting that they will hold transfer discussions with the club in the summer.
Tonali's future has been a huge talking point in recent days after the Italian was linked with a move to Arsenal in the closing hours of the transfer window.
A deadline day report emerged claiming the Gunners were keen on signing the 25-year-old. It then emerged that someone claiming to represent Tonali had offered the player to the Premier League leaders and although no talks ever took place between the two clubs, Mikel Arteta remains an admirer of the Italy international..
Tonali's agent denied that he had been in touch with Arsenal, but in a fresh twist he has given an interview to Tuttosport in which he hints that the midfielder could exit Newcastle in the summer.
As well as Arsenal, Juventus are known to be keen on bringing the player back to Serie A, while Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona have also been linked with Tonali.
“Newcastle are having a hard time letting go of Sandro, and he wants to lead the club to the Champions League.
"These transfer discussions will take place later. We’ll see how the season ends and then we’ll decide what to do,” the agent said.
“There’s no preference at the moment. It’s still early. What we’re saying today won’t apply tomorrow. Newcastle couldn’t let him go now, and there’s no point in moving, especially since Sandro is very attached to the club.
“We’ll evaluate and decide what to do in the summer.”
Tonali emerged last season as one of the key players in Eddie Howe's team, particularly after being moved to the No 6 role in a midfield engine room containing Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton. His superb performances helped Newcastle win the Carabao Cup and qualify for the Champions League.
The playmaker has said how much he owes the club after they stood by him following his 10-month ban for gambling offences, which he picked up not long after joining Newcastle for £55million from AC Milan. That ban led to Newcastle and the player agreeing a contract extension, with Tonali under contract until 2029 with Newcastle retaining a year's option.
Tonali, whose wife had their first baby a few weeks ago, has long insisted he is happy on Tyneside but rumours of a return to Italy haven't gone away. Newcastle value the player now at more than £100m.
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