Arsenal information: Newcastle’s Sandro Tonali considerations clear as switch alternative opens up
Arsenal remain in transfer headlines despite the January window closing, with Newcastle boss Eddie Howe speaking on Sandro Tonali speculation and a surprise free agent opportunity emerging
Sandro Tonali was linked with a shock deadline day move to Arsenal(Image: Anadolu, Anadolu via Getty Images)
Transfer speculation continues to swirl around Arsenal despite the January window closing earlier this week. The Gunners, following a relatively quiet month for signings, have bolstered their youth setup with two more academy additions.
They successfully secured both Stoke City defender Jaden Dixon, 18, and St Mirren prodigy Evan Mooney, 18, for a combined fee of approximately £1million as part of their renewed emphasis on recruiting teenage prospects.
After Tuesday night’s Carabao Cup semi-final triumph over Chelsea, Mikel Arteta’s side will turn their attention back to the Premier League, where they welcome this season’s shock package Sunderland to the Emirates Stadium.
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Here, the Daily Star Sport looks at two of the latest stories surrounding the Premier League table-toppers, who hold a six-point advantage in the title race as they seek to break their 22-year barren spell.
Howe dismisses Tonali speculation
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has downplayed talk surrounding Sandro Tonali’s rumoured switch to Arsenal. Reports emerged on transfer deadline day suggesting the Italian midfielder’s representative had touted the player to Arsenal, with the Gunners reportedly showing interest in a deal before Newcastle knocked back their approach.
Reports subsequently emerged suggesting no such bid had materialised, whilst Tonali’s representative Giuseppe Riso denied flogging the player around to other clubs. Despite fears that Tonali might push for an exit, Howe was adamant the Magpies wouldn’t face another drawn-out transfer battle similar to the Alexander Isak saga from last summer.
When asked about whether Tonali could become unsettled due to the speculation, he responded: “I don’t think so but lots of things happen without my knowledge. As far as I’m aware, we’ve got a player who is an outstanding footballer, an outstanding person. He’s very happy here, he’s got a great relationship with me, his team-mates and seems really happy within himself.
“That would surprise me [if Tonali became unsettled] but our best players will always attract glances from other clubs – that’s just the reality of football. We want to keep our group together, we want to be progressive and Sandro plays a part in that. All encompassed, I don’t see an issue but I don’t control everything.
“There was certainly no intention from our side to lose Sandro at all. He’s such an integral player to what we’re doing. He’s very happy here. He is absolutely fine. I had discussions with him yesterday [Monday] and he is absolutely focused on playing for us.”
Oxlade-Chamberlain loophole
Though the Premier League transfer window has officially slammed shut, Arsenal still have a narrow window to complete one final piece of business, should they wish to snap up Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain on a free transfer. The former Arsenal midfielder, who departed Besiktas in August, is presently without a club.
He has been training with the north Londoners in recent months and even featured for the Under-21s against Manchester United in a behind closed doors friendly in December.
Oxlade-Chamberlain’s initial deadline to secure a new club is Thursday, February 5. However, a lesser-known regulation allows clubs to sign players until March 25 if they leave any of their 25 senior player slots vacant when submitting their squads later this week.
Arsenal have only occupied 21 of their 25 senior positions so far. And with midfielder Mikel Merino facing an extended spell on the sidelines with a broken foot, Arteta may still take a punt on signing his 32-year-old former Gunners team-mate to help plug the gap.
The manager declined to dismiss the possibility ahead of the Chelsea Carabao Cup home tie, stating: “We explore every option.”
