Sandro Tonali’s Commitment to Newcastle United Amid Transfer Speculation

Sandro Tonali has made 92 appearances for Newcastle United.

Manager Eddie Howe has stated that Sandro Tonali is “very happy” at Newcastle United, following speculation about a potential transfer to Arsenal.

Reports surfaced on transfer deadline day indicating that Premier League leaders Arsenal were considering a move for Tonali. However, Newcastle firmly asserted that the midfielder was not for sale and emphasized that no communications had taken place regarding a transfer.

Tonali’s agent, Giuseppe Riso, refuted claims of having spoken with Arsenal. In an interview with Sky Italia, he mentioned that discussions regarding the player’s valuation could occur in March or April, contingent on Newcastle’s openness to negotiations.

Howe spoke with Tonali on Monday, confirming that the Italian midfielder is “absolutely focused on the here and now and playing for us” as the team prepares for the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg against Manchester City.

“His only focus was on Manchester City and trying to win that game; there’s absolutely no issue with Sandro himself,” Howe remarked. “He’s very happy and committed, so I find it difficult to discuss matters I don’t know much about. After our conversation yesterday, I can assure you he is absolutely fine.”

Back in November, Tonali expressed his contentment at Newcastle but admitted that contemplating the long-term future was “difficult.” He originally signed a five-year contract upon joining the club from AC Milan in 2023.

Tonali was eager to repay the trust that Newcastle demonstrated during his betting ban, a period in which he was unable to play for 10 months. He subsequently signed a new one-year deal, with Newcastle holding the option for an additional 12-month extension until 2030, positioning the club advantageously.

Despite losing Alexander Isak to Liverpool last summer, Howe believes the club is now better equipped to manage such situations, aided by the arrival of sporting director Ross Wilson.

“Our best players will always attract interest from other clubs; that’s simply the reality of football,” he commented. “We want to keep our squad intact and continue progressing. Sandro is integral to this, as he aims to reach his best performance levels to assist the team.

“Overall, I don’t foresee any issues, but I do recognize that I am not in control of everything.”

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