Sandro Tonali inspired Newcastle United to FA Cup victory.placeholder image
Sandro Tonali inspired Newcastle United to FA Cup victory. | Getty Images
Mikel Arteta had teased that Arsenal could make a late move for a new midfielder on Deadline Day, sparking reports of interest in Sandro Tonali.
Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer has warned Sandro Tonali against a potential summer transfer to Arsenal after links with a switch emerged in January.
The Gunners were rumoured to be in for a dramatic late Deadline Day swoop for the Italy international after Mikel Arteta teased that the club could be in for midfield reinforcements following an injury to Mikel Merino.
The transfer talk came after the player’s agent Giuseppe Riso hinted at a potential exit from St James’ Park. The move did not come to fruition in January and Tonali continues to impress with the Magpies.
The midfielder bagged a brace in the 3-1 win over Aston Villa at Villa Park on Saturday, stepping up after news that captain Bruno Guimaraes would be out with a hamstring injury until April. Tonali scored his first goal when seeing a shot deflected by Douglas Luiz before adding a second with a low strike 13 minutes later.
Alan Shearer speaks out on Sandro Tonali to Arsenal transfer links
In a seemingly poignant moment, Tonali celebrated the second of his goals in front of the 6,000 travelling Newcastle United fans before then embracing manager Eddie Howe. Those actions, combined with the performance, caught the attention of Shearer after the match.
Shearer told the Rest is Football Podcast, via our sister site NewcastleWorld: “They all have to step up [in Bruno Guimaraes’ absence]. Tonali did that. We said that before the game, who is the one that is going to step up and take the captain's place and do what he's done so many times for Newcastle is either play that killer pass, produce something special to get the result? And Tonali did that yesterday.
“ I saw that as well [links to Arsenal]. I don't know whether it's an agency connected with him or not. I don't know. I'm not sure. He hasn't hit the heights a lot of times this season from what he did to last season.
“I loved his reaction yesterday. I loved all of the players' reactions, particularly against Spurs, when they pushed Eddie Howe forward to the front of the fans.
“I don't know whether you saw the interview but Tonali and Kieran Trippier both praised Eddie Howe and what he's done and how much they love working with him and all of that. I really enjoyed that and I thought that was great. I think judging by his reaction, then I wouldn't look too serious into it.”
In other news, Arsenal battling Bundesliga duo to sign Real Madrid talent who could succeed Gabriel Magalhaes.
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