Newcastle United set price for Arsenal and Chelsea to sign Sandro Tonali
Newcastle United have slapped a huge asking price on Arsenal and Chelsea target Sandro Tonali ahead of the summer transfer window.
Tonali was the subject of surprise transfer speculation on the final day of the January window, with Premier League leaders Arsenal said to be exploring a late deal.
While the Gunners are admirers of Tonali, Newcastle quickly dismissed claims they were in talks with Arsenal over a deadline-day deal.
The midfielder’s agent, Giuseppe Riso, also said: ‘We never had any conversation with Arsenal.
‘Newcastle were never going to let Tonali leave in January. There’s absolutely nothing into it. We didn’t even talk about it.’
While a January move never materialised, it has been claimed that Newcastle are braced for more interest in Tonali in the summer, with Arsenal one of three Premier League clubs plotting a deal.
Gunners boss Mikel Arteta is a ‘huge admirer’ of Tonali and ‘would love’ to welcome the Italy international to the Emirates Stadium, according to The Sun.
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Arsenal, sitting six points clear at the top of the Premier League, were initially linked with Tonali after losing Mikel Merino to a foot injury that requires surgery.
But the title favourites are not alone in registering interest in Tonali, who is has also emerged as a target for Chelsea and Manchester City.
Tonali has established himself as one of Eddie Howe’s most important players since his £55m move from AC Milan in 2023, helping Newcastle win the Carabao Cup and qualify for the Champions League last season.
Paul Scholes on Arsenal and Chelsea target Sandro Tonali
Asked who he rates as the best midfielder in the Premier League, Scholes said on Sky Bet’s The Overlap back in October: ‘Right now? That’s tough.
‘I still don’t class Moises Caicedo as an all-round midfield player. I know he scored a great goal and was brilliant the other day.
‘I got some stick last year after having a go at him and I almost thought about taking that back because he was brilliant in the Club World Cup.
‘I just prefer the controlling type of midfield players who play with a bit more style and can score goals a bit more often than Caicedo.
‘It was a brilliant goal against Liverpool but you wouldn’t be surprised if he didn’t do that again for another 18 months would you?
‘He’s one of the best at what he does which is breaking up the play, he’s brilliant at that. But I prefer the other types.
‘Alexis Mac Allister was absolutely brilliant last season, he controlled a lot of games and I think Liverpool are missing that at the moment.
‘I love Sandro Tonali as well. He’s been brilliant. Very good. I would probably choose Tonali at this point.’
Pressed if he was naming Tonali as the best midfielder in the league, Manchester United legend Scholes added: ‘Yes, you’re going to say Declan Rice but I think he’s better than Rice.
‘I really like Rice, don’t get me wrong, I think he’s got everything. Sometimes he takes a few too many touches of the ball and tries to look a bit more stylish than necessary.
‘He can do everything but I just don’t think he does it enough. I prefer Tonali but they’re both good players.’
The 25-year-old was handed a 10-month ban for breaching FA betting rules at the end of 2023 but has made amends since returning with a series of impressive performances.
Newcastle are braced for approaches for Tonali and are well aware several players could angle for moves if they fail to get back into the Champions League.
Despite impressing in this year’s European competition and progressing to the next round, Newcastle have underwhelmed in the Premier League and sit just 11th ahead of this weekend’s clash with Brentford.
Before that Howe’s side face Manchester City in the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final, with the holders losing the first leg 2-0.
Tonali is said to be settled in the North East, having recently welcomed a baby boy called Leonardo into the world with his wife Juliette.
As a result the Italian is not actively looking for a new club ahead of the summer and will not follow Alexander Isak’s example and go on strike to force through a move.
Tonali has a good relationship with Howe and respects the supportive approach Newcastle took following his betting ban.
Newcastle, meanwhile, have no desire to sell Tonali and, given he is contracted to the club until 2029, would want at least £100m to part ways with an important member of the squad.
Discussing his client’s chances of leaving St James’ Park in the summer, football agent Riso added: ‘It’s not even being discussed now.
‘We will see around March about Sandro’s valuation but only if Newcastle decide to open doors. He’s completely focused on Newcastle’s season now, it’s a nonsense topic.’
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