Arsenal sources have claimed Sandro Tonali isn’t a transfer target, but the player’s agent believes that could change after the World Cup.
Lee Ryder reports for the Mirror that Arsenal sources have admitted that Sandro Tonali is not a target this summer, though Manchester City and Manchester United remain in the race to sign the midfielder.
Yet Tonali’s agent Giuseppe Riso believes that Italy qualifying for the World Cup and performing well at the tournament could bring the Gunners to the table.
“That was the goal, to try to make him a star player,” Riso said. “He’s the Italian footballer with one of the highest values. If he shines at the World Cup, will City or Arsenal be hot on his heels? It’s very likely.”
Newcastle United’s hierarchy are unhappy at the comments from Riso, but the player does still have a contract with the club until at least 2028.
Arsenal’s interest in Tonali has been the subject of much debate this year so far.
The Gunners were linked with the midfielder on January’s transfer deadline day, and despite Newcastle quickly denying the rumours, David Ornstein later reported that Tonali’s agent had indeed offered him to Arsenal. It just never reached the stage of club-to-club talks.
Ornstein himself repeatedly stressed that Arsenal and Newcastle were never in contact, so it makes sense that Newcastle would be unaware of the possibility of an offer. But the journalist added that Tonali is indeed a player Mikel Arteta and Arsenal like.
Perhaps Arsenal’s initial talks with Tonali’s agent in the January window ended up putting them off. That would explain why their previous long-term interest may have faded over the last month or two. But the situation remains unclear at best.
What does seem to be clear is that Tonali’s agent is hopeful of a big payday in the near future, much to Newcastle’s frustration.