‘Forget it!’ – Howe responds to Tonali’s Arsenal ‘goal’ claims

Robin Bairner

• 18 Mar 2026 07:05 GMT
• 4 min read

News

Sandro Tonali’s future has been addressed by Newcastle manager Eddie Howe amid mounting speculation over the player’s future.

The Italy international’s agent has suggested that Tonali would love a move to Arsenal, while Juventus, Inter, Real Madrid and Manchester United have been linked with the former AC Milan ace.

Ahead of Newcastle’s Champions League showdown with Barcelona at Camp Nou, Howe has moved to claim that the 25-year-old is simply focusing on the immediate challenges with the Magpies.

Current ETV

Sandro Tonali

DM, M (C)

Newcastle

Sandro Tonali

DM, M (C)

Newcastle

€58.9M

ETV Range

€53.1M - €64.8M

View full profile

Arsenal’s interest fuelled by agent talk

Tonali first emerged as a target for Arsenal at the end of January, when Mikel Merino went down with a long-term injury.

Although nothing came of the deal, it acted as a spark that has seen the Italian constantly linked with a move away from Newcastle since.

Agent Beppe Riso, who later claimed there was no contact with Arsenal, has admitted that a deal would interest the player.

“Exactly,” the agent responded when quizzed about the interest from the Gunners by Calcio e Finanza, “that was the goal from the moment he went to England: to try to make him a star player. I think he's one of the most valuable Italian footballers in the world.”

Riso is correct: Tonali is the third most valuable Italian player behind Inter Milan duo Alessandro Bastoni, who is currently linked with Barcelona, and Nicolo Barella.

Tonali ‘fully committed’ to Newcastle – Eddie Howe

Newcastle manager Howe, though, says that Newcastle are not planning on cashing in on Tonali any time soon.

“I think the person who matters the most in this is Sandro. I take my lead from him,” he explained.

“All I have ever seen from him is someone who is totally committed, very much part of the team and very selfless. He is here for the team. That is the attitude I have seen from him.

“Forget the noise around Sandro, he is fully committed.”

Will he play against Barcelona?

Tonali, meanwhile, is expected back in the Newcastle squad after missing the weekend’s Premier League win over Chelsea due to illness.

“We’ll have a look at him today,” Howe said before Tuesday’s training session.

“Today’s the first day we have seen him. It’s an opportunity for him to train and then we’ll make a decision.”

Tonali, who has played 103 games for Newcastle, has an Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of €58.9m.