Newcastle United’s Tonali Remains Unmovable Amid Arsenal Interest

Sandro Tonali has been with Newcastle United since the summer of 2023. Despite missing a significant portion of his debut season on Tyneside, he has made 67 appearances in the Premier League for the Magpies. Consequently, the club is understandably reluctant to part with the dynamic 25-year-old.

Sky Sports Deutschland confirms this sentiment, indicating that Arsenal may soon find frustration in their attempts to secure the talented midfielder from their domestic rivals. Nevertheless, inquiries have been directed towards Newcastle regarding Tonali’s future.

In a related matter, Arsenal has announced that versatile Spanish international Mikel Merino will undergo surgery for a foot injury sustained during a dramatic loss to Manchester United. Merino is currently dealing with a broken bone and is expected to be sidelined for an extended period. An official statement from the Gunners noted, “Mikel will have surgery in the coming days and will then begin his recovery and rehabilitation program. The aim is for him to return to full training before the end of the season.”

In another development, Arsenal has allowed promising England Under-21 international Ethan Nwaneri to join Ligue 1 side Marseille on loan for the latter half of the 2025-26 season. His presence could have been beneficial for Arsenal.

Manager Mikel Arteta is exploring alternative options, as Martin Zubimendi and Declan Rice filled midfield roles during a recent 4-0 victory over Leeds. Club captain Martin Ødegaard came off the bench in that match, while Christian Nørgaard is also pushing for playing time.

Kai Havertz has returned to a creative playmaking position, with Eberechi Eze providing competition for the No. 10 role. Arsenal appears to be seeking additional depth as they continue to compete on multiple fronts, including the Premier League, Champions League, Carabao Cup, and FA Cup.

Tonali could enhance Arsenal’s Premier League experience, although speculation regarding a potential move away from Newcastle has persisted for some time. However, he is bound to a contract at St James’ Park that extends to 2029, with an option for an additional year. These terms contribute to a high asking price, ensuring that Newcastle faces no pressure to sell. According to reports from Sky Germany, the Magpies have already rejected an initial inquiry from Arsenal regarding one of their most valued players.

Instead of considering a sale, Newcastle is focused on helping Tonali regain his form, as the Italian midfielder is still seeking his first goal of the current season, having played 34 matches across all competitions.

Magpies manager Eddie Howe commented, “I think that’s the key thing—the standards that he’s set. Last season in particular, I thought he was magnificent, and his return to the team felt like a new signing, providing a fresh energy boost. He developed strong relationships with his teammates and contributed effectively in various aspects of the game. However, for whatever reason, this season, he hasn’t quite reached the same levels as before. We’re working with him to help him return to those standards. There have been games where he’s performed admirably, and even within matches, there have been moments where he has excelled. But our focus, as with the team, is on achieving consistency.”

Currently, Newcastle is preparing to face Azerbaijani side Qarabag in the Champions League knockout stage playoffs, while sitting 10th in the Premier League table—20 points behind leaders Arsenal.