Arsenal were linked with a surprise deadline move for Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali, but it soon became clear that the deal was not going to happen.
Sandro Tonali emerges as an option for Arsenal (Image: Michelle Mercer/Newcastle United via Getty Images)
Sandro Tonali’s agent has denied making an offer to Arsenal for the Newcastle star on transfer deadline day. Tonali, 25, was briefly linked with a surprise move to the Emirates before Monday’s 7pm deadline.
The Gunners have released players to find a new midfielder after confirming Mikel Merino will be out for an “extended period” after undergoing surgery to break a foot. Tonali has emerged as a potential option, with Arsenal reportedly being offered the chance to sign him by the Italian camp.
Arsenal’s sporting director Andrea Berta considered the move but chose not to make contact with Newcastle. Tonali’s agent, Giuseppe Riso, has now spoken to Sky Italia to clear the air.
Riso was quoted as saying, “I have never had a conversation with Arsenal.” “Newcastle had no intention of letting Tonali leave in January. It had nothing to do with it. We didn’t even discuss it.”
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Tonali is considered one of the Premier League’s best midfielders and is under contract with Newcastle until 2029. His contract at St James’ Park has been extended after serving a 10-month suspension for breaching gambling regulations.
Meanwhile, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta revealed on Monday that he is open to signing former Gunners midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain on a free transfer. Oxlade-Chamberlain, 32, has been training with the Gunners Under-21s in recent weeks to maintain his fitness after being released by Turkish giants Besiktas in August.
“We are considering all options,” Arteta said ahead of Tuesday’s Carabao Cup semi-final second leg at home to Chelsea, where the Gunners lead 3-2 on aggregate.
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Sandro Tonali to remain at Newcastle (Image: George Wood – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
Asked about the search for a midfielder in light of Merino’s injury, the Arsenal manager said: “We are willing to do that. And when we play for what we do, it’s our responsibility to look at the market and all the options, to evaluate them and to give ourselves the best opportunity and opportunity to decide whether to do something if possible.”
“When you lose a big player like this from a team who can play every game with four months left, you have to look for them and we need to do everything we can to make sure we have the players available and if not, we need to keep the players we have.
“At this level, especially for four months, you have to bring in players who are able to adapt quickly and have an impact on the team. It’s not easy, but if it was easy we wouldn’t be here. So we need to find solutions and try. We need players because we play every two or three days.”
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