How Newcastle Really Feel About Selling Sandro Tonali To Arsenal After ‘Stupid’ Deadline Day Talk

Newcastle have waved off speculation linking Arsenal to Sandro Tonali, declaring the talk as “stupid”.

Arsenal Linked With Newcastle Midfielder Sandro Tonali

Reports on Deadline Day suggested the Premier League leaders were weighing up swooping for the midfielder.

As reported by FootItalia in December, Tonali wants an Italy return in 2026, with Newcastle growing increasingly concerned that his long-term future may lie away from St James’ Park.

However, he is all but certain to stay on Tyneside until at least the end of the season.

Sky Germany journalist Florian Plettenberg, informed by ‘very top sources’, claimed that Arsenal were ‘exploring’ a move for Tonali.

“There have been direct talks in the last couple of hours, but for now very, very difficult to finalise because Newcastle didn’t give the green light. But Arsenal are still trying,” said Plettenberg.

“They are pushing for Sandro Tonali to make the deal happen today.”

Those rumours were quickly shot down by those close to the Magpies.

Chronicle Live, a Newcastle-based publication, declared there has, in fact, been no contact between Newcastle and Arsenal. Indeed, figures at the club are mystified by the speculation.

Other sources described the talk as “complete rubbish” on Monday morning.

Newcastle simply do not want to sell Tonali, especially this month, but they may not have much of a choice.

🚨💣 EXCLUSIVE | Arsenal are exploring a surprising Deadline Day move for Sandro #Tonali.

Very difficult at this stage, as Newcastle have rejected an initial approach.@SkySportDE 🇮🇹 pic.twitter.com/13lSEw5pmK

— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) February 2, 2026

Sandro Tonali Wants Serie A Transfer

The club’s up-and-down form this season is not up to Tonali’s standards, and he has become frustrated as a result.

He is understood to be pondering leaving the Premier League after just two years, with Italy’s World Cup campaign rapidly approaching and at the forefront of his thinking.

Moving back to Serie A would put him in a stronger position to grab Gennaro Gattuso’s attention, with competition in midfield fierce.

Juventus dream of signing Tonali and are monitoring his situation, while AC Milan also have him on their radar.

Before he made his £60million switch to Newcastle in July 2023, Tonali was a household name in his native Italy, having made 130 appearances for Milan and won the Scudetto in 2021/22.

There is, of course, a limit to how much the Rossoneri and Juventus would be able to invest on him, but both clubs are weighing up making an approach in the summer nevertheless.

For now, Tonali is under contract at St James’ Park until 2029. He remains a crucial player under Eddie Howe and has been a regular fixture in the team since returning from his betting ban.

Should he push to leave, Newcastle would demand at least £60m.