Arsenal news: Sandro Tonali transfer green light as Gunners leapfrog Liverpool | Football | Sport
Arsenal‘s attention is firmly fixed on the Premier League run-in and the Champions League final. Yet once the curtain comes down on the season, transfer activity will inevitably follow. The Gunners showed little hesitation in splashing the cash last summer, forking out in excess of £250m on the likes of Viktor Gyokeres, Eberechi Eze, Martin Zubimendi, Noni Madueke and Cristhian Mosquera.
Manager Arteta already has the opening move of the forthcoming window mapped out: securing the permanent transfer of defender Piero Hincapie. However, the north London outfit may well have further ambitions beyond that. Arsenal have been linked with a swoop for Newcastle star Sandro Tonali, and fresh details regarding his future have now emerged. Express Sport brings you the latest Arsenal news…
Sandro Tonali in the shop window
Tonali has been nothing short of inspirational for the Magpies since his arrival in 2023 for £55million, yet the Italian has found himself at the centre of considerable transfer speculation since the January window drew to a close.
Corriere della Sera now reports that the 26-year-old has been made available for sale, with Arsenal among the clubs vying for his signature. However, the Italian publication claims that Manchester United are currently leading the chase. In January, the Gunners were strongly linked with a move for Tonali, only for Newcastle to have already tied down his future.
It emerged in October that the Italian had quietly penned a one-year contract extension during his 10-month gambling ban. Tonali remains contracted to Newcastle until 2029, and the publication reports that should he depart, the Magpies would demand a fee in the region of £87m.
Meanwhile, Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola is also believed to be on Arsenal’s radar, with the Gunners reportedly leading the chase on this occasion.
L’Equipe claim Barcola, whose PSG side are set to face Arsenal in the Champions League final later this month, could be offloaded in the summer as his club seek a new forward.
Barcola’s deal runs until 2028, and according to the report, both Arsenal and Liverpool have registered their interest. It is Arteta’s side, however, who are currently ahead in the race.
Arne Slot‘s squad have tempered their pursuit of the 23-year-old, and Arsenal may be keen to strengthen their wide options given Bukayo Saka‘s injury concerns. Barcola would reportedly command a fee of £80m.
The Frenchman was substituted at the interval during PSG’s 2-0 victory over Lens, and when pressed for an explanation, manager Luis Enrique was decidedly tight-lipped.
He said: “What I can say here is that I can’t say anything. I have no important information for you and you must think what you think. I don’t have to explain anything. But it’s very clear.”
