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DONE DEALS
- 44 minutes ago
Ornstein reveals the truth behind Tonali to Arsenal amid midfield scramble
Tom Weber
- Updated: 2 Feb 2026 17:13 GMT
- 4 min read
News
Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali was offered to Arsenal by his agent, according to David Ornstein.
The Gunners are exploring the market for potential opportunities following Mikel Merino's foot injury, which is expected to sideline him for a considerable period of time.
With Ethan Nwaneri having been loaned to Olympique de Marseille, there is a feeling that the Gunners may be shorthanded in the centre of the park now. However, there is reportedly no recall clause in the teenager's deal.
Current ETV
Sandro Tonali
DM, M (C)
Newcastle
Sandro Tonali
DM, M (C)
Newcastle
ETV Range
€58.7M - €71.8M
As a result, director Andrea Berta has been scouring the market. FootballTransfers understands that Bayern Munich midfielder Leon Goretzka is one name that has been discussed. A deal is unlikely, though, and his club recently confirmed that he will leave as a free agent in the summer.
Arsenal also hold a long-standing interest in young Elche midfielder Rodrigo Mendoza, but Fabrizio Romano reports that Atletico Madrid are pushing to complete his signing.
Tonali offered to Arsenal
Earlier on Monday, reports also linked Sandro Tonali with a potential move to North London. Widely dismissed at the time, David Ornstein of The Athletic has now revealed that there was indeed a conversation over the Italy international.
But it was not Arsenal who initiated these talks. Instead, Tonali was offered to Berta by his agent Beppe Riso, so the director did his due diligence and explored a move.
Discussions did not progress, chiefly because Newcastle have absolutely no intention of losing their star midfielder mid-season. Ornstein deems an exit "impossible."
However, Riso disputes Ornstein's reporting. “I read it, but Newcastle won’t let Sandro leave in January, and we never talked to Arsenal about this,” he told Sky Italia.
“We will evaluate in March whether Newcastle are open to anything, but right now he is playing in the Champions League, it is not the right moment to talk about it.”
The 25-year-old has long been linked with a potential exit from the Magpies, despite the club showing immense faith in him during his gambling suspension when they handed him a secret contract extension.
Various Italian clubs, including Juventus, dream of luring Tonali back to Serie A, while there is also bound to be Premier League interest. Romano reports that the midfielder will be one to watch in the summer.
As for Arsenal, a potential short-term solution to their midfield problem could be Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. The former Gunner has been training with the U21s and the first team in recent months to stay fit after leaving Besiktas.
Mikel Arteta did not rule out handing him a contract when quizzed on the matter. "We explore every option," the Spaniard said.
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