Arsenal are currently considering a summer move for the £100m ‘world class’ star, with Mikel Arteta believed to be a big fan of the player.
Gunners aim to sign new statement
The Gunners have invested heavily during the Arteta era and look set to finally reap the rewards this season, with them currently six points clear at the top of the Premier League and into the EFL Cup final.
The north Londoners secured a place at Wembley with a 1-0 win at Chelsea on Tuesday night, with Kai Havertz scoring the winning goal in the 97th minute against his former club, delighting Arteta.
With the Spaniard still fighting on all fronts and having qualified for the last 16 of the Champions League after winning every game in the league phase, there was little reason to tinker too much with the squad in the January transfer window.
No major reinforcements were therefore made to the squad, despite a delayed relationship with Newcastle United star Sandro Tonali, although his agent Giuseppe Riso later revealed that no talks had taken place.
However, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Arsenal remain interested in Tonali and could make a move for the central midfielder during the summer transfer window.
Romano said on YouTube: “Arsenal are considering signing Sandro Tonali, but there are other clubs in England and Italy that have Juventus, so there is nothing concrete at the moment. Also, as his agent said, we have to look at Newcastle’s position. We have to respect Newcastle in this story.”
“I think Tonali could consider leaving Newcastle this summer, but again, this is in Newcastle’s hands so let’s go with the situation.”
Romano’s update follows previous reports suggesting the Gunners are planning a £100m swoop for the Italian, of whom Arteta is known to be a big fan.
‘World class’ Tonali could sign exciting contract with Arsenal
Earlier this season, Manchester United legend Paul Scholes made it clear that he prefers Tonali to Declan Rice, saying: “I think he’s better than Rice.
“I really like Rice, don’t get me wrong, I think he has it all. Sometimes he touches the ball a little too much and tries to look more stylish than he needs to be.”
£45m star played his best game ever in an Arsenal shirt against Chelsea
Arsenal defeated Chelsea 4-2 on aggregate to reach their first major final in six years.
The 25-year-old, who has been hailed as “world class” by football writer Mark Carruthers, has been a key player for the Magpies this season, making 35 appearances in all competitions and providing five assists in that time.
However, there are doubts as to whether the Italian international will give Rice the points he deserves, with the Englishman having been involved in nine goals in the Premier League alone and averaging an 88.9% pass success rate, compared to the Newcastle star’s 85.3%.
Either way, Tonali could still be an exciting signing for Arsenal, and if Arteta can bring together Rice, Tonali and Martin Zvimendi, they would be acquiring a significant midfield signing.
