Arsenal look set to add to their squad in the summer transfer window and the Gunners have reportedly made a decision regarding reigniting their pursuit of Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali
Arsenal are expected to seek squad reinforcements during the summer irrespective of whether they secure the Premier League crown.
The Gunners hold a seven-point advantage over Manchester City at the Premier League summit, although their rivals have a game in hand. Both sides will resume domestic duties at the weekend following attempts to establish first-leg advantages in their respective Champions League ties midweek.
Arsenal journey to Germany to meet Bayer Leverkusen in Wednesday’s early fixture, with Kasper Hjulmand’s outfit having secured a 2-0 triumph over Olympiacos in their knockout play-off. City, meanwhile, encounter Real Madrid later that evening. Here, the Daily Star Sport looks at the latest updates from north London.
Tonali deal on the back burner
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Sandro Tonali does not feature amongst the names on Arsenal’s summer wishlist, according to ChronicleLive. The Newcastle and Italy midfielder is believed to have been presented to the Gunners during the January window, though agent Giuseppe Riso refuted those claims.
“We never had any conversation with Arsenal,” Riso informed Sky in early February. “Newcastle were never gonna let Tonali leave in January. There’s absolutely nothing into it. We didn’t even talk about it.”
Arsenal are understood to need to proceed cautiously over the summer due to PSR worries. Recent reports suggested eight senior stars were amongst those being considered to leave, including academy products Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly.
Mikel Arteta isn’t stopped from making additions to his squad in the summer. However, a pursuit of Tonali doesn’t appear to be high on the club’s priorities.
Battle for bargain Brandt
Arsenal are amongst the clubs in contention for Borussia Dortmund star Julian Brandt, according to reports in Germany. The German international, 29, is out of contract in the summer and has no intentions to sign fresh terms with his current employers.
“There have been open discussions, after which we agreed that the expiring contract would not be extended,” Dortmund sporting director Lars Ricken informed Sky Germany after the weekend triumph away at Koln. “He has played a few hundred games for Borussia Dortmund. I think we can only be grateful to him; he played for us for seven years.”
Brandt is reported to be eager on a move outside Germany, though Arsenal aren’t the only interested party. Barcelona have also been linked, whilst the attacking midfielder is also said to be open to a move to Italy.
The ex-Bayer Leverkusen ace has netted 56 times and provided 69 assists in almost 300 outings for Dortmund. He’s also earned 48 caps for Germany and featured in his nation’s squads at the World Cup in 2018 and 2022.