Arsenal 'Exploring' Shock Deadline Day Move for Newcastle's Sandro Tonali
In a dramatic twist on transfer deadline day, Arsenal are reportedly considering a surprising move to sign Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali, according to Sky Sports Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg. The Gunners, who have been quiet in the January transfer window after a £250 million summer spending spree, are said to be exploring this last-minute option, though Newcastle have already rejected an initial approach, making any deal very difficult at this late stage.
Arsenal's Strong Position Fuels Transfer Ambitions
Arsenal's interest in bolstering their squad comes as they enjoy a commanding position in the Premier League, sitting six points clear at the top after a 4-0 victory over Leeds United on Saturday. Their impressive form extends to the Champions League, where they won all eight of their league phase games, becoming the first team to achieve this feat under the new format. With the club still competing in all four competitions and boasting considerable strength in depth, this potential move for Tonali highlights their ambition to maintain their title challenge.
Tonali's Journey and Current Situation at Newcastle
Sandro Tonali joined Newcastle from AC Milan in 2023 for approximately £55 million. His early career at St James' Park was marred by a 10-month ban for breaching betting regulations, but he returned last season to establish himself as a key player for the Magpies. To date, he has made 92 appearances for Newcastle, contributing seven goals and eight assists from defensive midfield. This season, he has already featured in 35 matches, though he is yet to find the net.
In November, Tonali expressed happiness at Newcastle but remained non-committal about his long-term future, stating, "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." His comments came after former teammate Alexander Isak's high-profile move to Liverpool in the summer, which Tonali acknowledged as part of the football landscape, adding, "If you have an option for your life, for another team you need to think about everything."
Deadline Day Drama Unfolds
As the transfer window draws to a close, this potential move adds to the day's excitement, with Arsenal's pursuit of Tonali reflecting their desire to strengthen further despite their already formidable squad. However, with Newcastle's rejection of the initial approach, any deal would require swift and complex negotiations, making it a challenging prospect for the Gunners to pull off before the deadline.
