Newcastle star Sandro Tonali faces a summer departure after Arsenal received an offer on deadline day, with Alan Shearer believing the Italian and others could leave the club
Alan Shearer thinks it may be difficult for Newcastle to keep up with Sandro Tonali and other top stars in the summer (Image: Today’s Match)
Manager Alan Shearer has told Newcastle that they should expect to lose top stars like Sandro Tonali in the summer if they fail to qualify for Europe next year.
The Magpies have endured a difficult campaign but are still in the Champions League. They are in 11th place in the Premier League, seven points behind fifth-placed Chelsea, and suffered a crushing defeat to Manchester City in the Carabao Cup semi-final on Wednesday night.
Tonali was linked with a surprise move to Arsenal on transfer deadline day, but the midfielder’s agent was quick to put any rumors to rest. But Shearer expects players like Tonali and Newcastle’s other key players to attract interest in the summer if his former club are unable to offer Champions League or Europa League football next term.
Follow the Arsenal FB page! For the latest Gunners news and details, visit our dedicated Facebook page.
read more: Arsenal’s star player absent from training raises fresh injury concern against Sunderlandread more: Arsenal run into new Julian Alvarez problem despite determination to ‘take the plunge’
“Sandro Tonali hasn’t reached the heights he had last season, but if Newcastle don’t qualify for Europe and be competitive in the Premier League, I think other clubs will look at Newcastle and try to sign their best players,” Shearer told Betfair following rumors of an Arsenal move.
“It was a surprise in January, but I think it will be even more so in the summer if Newcastle don’t achieve what they have achieved in the last few years. Top players want to play Champions League football, but we know there is no real loyalty in football. I’m not saying Tonali will do something like that, but we know that if the club doesn’t qualify for Europe, other clubs will try to poach players.”
Tonali was linked with a surprise move to Arsenal on transfer deadline day earlier this week (Image: George Wood/Getty Images)
“Newcastle need to start winning games, get into the top half of the FA Cup and hopefully compete in the Champions League as well to make up for what has certainly been a disappointing result in terms of the Premier League at the moment. I know we’ve reached the semi-finals and we’ve been craving that for a number of years, but given the money that’s been spent and put into the club since then and where the club is going, it’s disappointing at the moment.”
Tonali’s agent Giuseppe Rizzo insists he has had no contact with Arsenal amid reports that they have been offered a deal for the Italian international, but The Sun claims three Premier League clubs are set to try to sign him in the summer.
If Newcastle fail to achieve European quality, Chelsea and Manchester City are two other domestic clubs who could rival Arsenal for Tonali in the summer.
Join our new WhatsApp community and receive Mirror Football content every day. Community members also receive special offers, promotions, and advertisements from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check it out whenever you like. If you are interested, please read our privacy notice.
