Revealed: Behind Arsenal's pursuit of Sandro Tonali from Newcastle before the winter transfer window closes.
On 3 Feb 2026 GMT+7, David Ornstein, a renowned journalist from The Athletic, a leading English media outlet, revealed the background behind the buzz before the winter transfer deadline: reports that Arsenal were trying to sign Sandro Tonali, the key midfielder of Newcastle United, a fellow Premier League club.
Arsenal recently lost Miguel Merino, a versatile midfielder sidelined for several months due to a foot injury. This prompted Arsenal to act in the final stretch of the winter transfer window, leading to rumors linking them with Sandro Tonali, the heart of Newcastle's midfield.
David Ornstein stated, "Sandro Tonali was offered to Arsenal by his agent, but there have been no negotiations with Newcastle United, and no progress will be made before the transfer deadline on Monday."
"The agent of the Italian international contacted Arsenal's sporting director, Andrea Berta, regarding the 25-year-old midfielder, a player Arsenal have admired for a long time. Part of Berta's role is to explore such situations when opportunities arise, and he did so as he does with other cases."
"However, since Newcastle is unwilling to conduct any business during this period of the transfer window, and the asking price exceeds Arsenal's financial capacity, the situation will not progress further."
But recently,Giuseppe Riso, Sandro Tonali's agent, clarified through Sky Sports Italia, "We have never talked to Arsenal, and Newcastle will definitely not let Tonali go in January. There is no connection to this matter at all."
"We haven't even discussed this. We will review Tonali's valuation again in March, but only if Newcastle decides to open the opportunity. Right now, he is fully committed to Newcastle's season. This story is nonsense."
