The January transfer window had barely shut its doors when a new storm quietly started to form in English football, and at the heart of it was one of the most talked-about midfielders in Europe. Sandro Tonali, the Italian star Newcastle United fought so hard to bring to the Premier League, is once again at the centre of transfer whispers, power plays, and elite club interest. What makes this story explosive is not just Arsenal’s long-standing admiration for the player, but the sudden and aggressive entrance of Manchester City, a club known for striking when rivals least expect it. Add Chelsea, Liverpool, Juventus, and Newcastle’s own painful recent memories into the mix, and you have a transfer saga that could define the summer.
Arsenal’s interest in Sandro Tonali is not new, but it has never felt this serious. For months, people close to the club have spoken quietly about Mikel Arteta’s admiration for the Italian midfielder. Arteta sees Tonali as a complete player, someone who combines tactical intelligence with aggression, technical ability with leadership, and discipline with emotion. In Arteta’s mind, Tonali is not just another midfielder. He is a cornerstone player, someone who could define Arsenal’s midfield for the next decade.
That is why eyebrows were raised when reports suddenly emerged on deadline day claiming Arsenal were exploring a blockbuster move for Tonali. German journalist Florian Plettenberg suggested that contact had been made and that Arsenal were sounding out Newcastle over a possible deal. For a moment, it felt like one of those classic last-minute transfer shocks that leave fans glued to their phones. But just as quickly as the rumours spread, they were shut down. Lee Ryder, Newcastle’s respected correspondent, insisted there had been no contact whatsoever and that the story was wide of the mark.
Tonali’s agent, Giuseppe Riso, also moved quickly to cool things down. He denied initiating any talks with Arsenal and suggested that nothing concrete was happening behind the scenes. On the surface, it seemed like another case of transfer gossip running ahead of reality. But as is often the case in football, the truth sat somewhere in the middle. TEAMtalk’s transfer insider Graeme Bailey later confirmed that while there was no formal negotiation, there had indeed been brief and informal contact between Arsenal and Tonali’s camp. It was not a bid, not a proposal, but enough to show genuine interest.
Since then, Arsenal have not gone away. According to reports, the club is closely monitoring Tonali’s situation ahead of the summer window. They know Newcastle value him highly, but they also understand that football is unpredictable. Circumstances change, ambitions shift, and big offers have a way of opening doors that once seemed locked. Arsenal are said to be quietly preparing a potential move that could reach £100 million, a figure that underlines just how highly they rate the Italian.
Arteta’s vision is clear. He wants to pair Tonali with Declan Rice, creating a midfield partnership built on power, control, intelligence, and leadership. Rice provides stability and dominance, while Tonali offers rhythm, bite, and the ability to dictate games at the highest level. In Arteta’s mind, that pairing could be the final piece needed to turn Arsenal from contenders into serial winners. It is a bold plan, ambitious, and expensive, but Arsenal believe they are now operating at that level.
However, Arsenal’s path is anything but clear. Just as they were quietly laying the groundwork, Manchester City entered the picture, and when City move, the entire transfer market tends to shake. Pep Guardiola is known for his detailed analysis and long-term planning, and Tonali is exactly the type of player who fits Guardiola’s philosophy. Intelligent, press-resistant, tactically flexible, and technically sound, Tonali ticks every box.
Reports claim Guardiola is a huge admirer of the Italian and has personally approved his name as a potential target. That alone would be worrying enough for Arsenal, but the situation becomes even more alarming with the suggestion that City are planning a double raid on Newcastle. Alongside Tonali, City are said to be seriously interested in Tino Livramento, one of the most highly rated young full-backs in the Premier League.
Sources have already confirmed that City have been tracking Livramento for months. Newcastle value him at over £80 million, a figure that reflects both his potential and importance to Eddie Howe’s project. If City were to pursue both Livramento and Tonali in the same window, the combined cost could reach an astonishing £180 million. For Newcastle, such a scenario would feel like a direct attack on the core of their squad.
For Arsenal, it would be even more painful. City have a habit of stepping in late and winning battles simply by offering certainty, trophies, and Guardiola’s vision. Where Arsenal can promise ambition and growth, City can promise dominance and silverware right now. That difference matters when elite players make decisions about their future.
Chelsea are also watching closely. While their recent transfer strategy has raised questions, their interest in Tonali shows they still aim to attract the biggest names in world football. Chelsea believe Tonali could be a leader in a rebuilt midfield and someone capable of bringing control to a squad that has often lacked balance. Whether they can convince him remains another matter entirely.
Liverpool’s name continues to surface as well. The club has long admired Tonali, and their midfield rebuild means opportunities could exist if the right player becomes available. However, Liverpool’s approach is often more measured, and they may be reluctant to enter a bidding war of this scale. Juventus, meanwhile, lurk quietly in the background. For Tonali and his family, a return to Italy holds emotional appeal, and Juventus are seen as the strongest Italian option should he choose to leave England.
Newcastle are well aware of all this, and their position is firm. They do not want to sell. Tonali is seen as a central figure in their long-term plans, and losing him would be a major blow. The club still remembers the pain of losing Alexander Isak last summer, when the striker forced through a move to Liverpool. That departure left scars, both emotionally and strategically.
But this situation feels different. Reports suggest Tonali will not behave like Isak. He respects Newcastle and understands what the club has done for him. He is ambitious, yes, but he does not intend to go on strike or force a move. He wants to play Champions League football and compete for domestic titles, but he also wants any move to be handled properly and respectfully.
That stance puts Newcastle in a difficult position. On one hand, they want to keep a top player happy and motivated. On the other, they must protect their long-term vision and avoid becoming a selling club whenever a bigger side comes calling. If Arsenal or City arrive with offers approaching or exceeding £100 million, the pressure will be immense.
For Arsenal, the stakes are huge. Missing out on Tonali would not just be about losing a transfer target. It would be another reminder of the gap they are still trying to close with Manchester City. Arteta knows that to truly challenge Guardiola, he needs players who can perform at the very highest level week after week. Tonali represents that level.
City, meanwhile, appear calm and calculated. They know their interest alone can change the dynamic of any deal. They also know Newcastle would prefer to sell to Arsenal rather than strengthen a direct title rival, but City’s pull is powerful. Guardiola’s reputation, City’s recent success, and the promise of immediate trophies make them a formidable force in any negotiation.
As this saga unfolds, it also connects to wider transfer plans across the Premier League. Arsenal are reportedly exploring creative ways to fund their ambitions, including the possibility of using players like Gabriel Martinelli or Gabriel Jesus to offset the cost of signing a world-class striker. Their summer plans are ambitious, aggressive, and risky.
City, on the other hand, are being told that a classy midfielder is almost certainly heading to Manchester this summer, with both City and United alerted. That only adds to the sense that major changes are coming, and that Tonali’s future could be one of the defining stories.
For Newcastle fans, this is a time of anxiety and frustration. They want stability, progress, and respect. They want to believe their club can hold onto its best players and continue building toward something special. Losing Tonali, especially to a domestic rival, would feel like a step backward, no matter how much money comes in.
For Tonali himself, the decision will not be easy. He is settled, respected, and valued at Newcastle. But he is also ambitious, driven, and aware that his prime years are precious. Whether he chooses loyalty, ambition, or a return to familiar surroundings in Italy, his choice will shape not only his career, but the balance of power in English football.
As the summer approaches, this story is far from over. Arsenal are watching, planning, and hoping. Manchester City are waiting, calculating, and ready to strike. Chelsea and Juventus remain alert, while Newcastle stand firm, at least for now. Sandro Tonali may not be speaking publicly, but his name is echoing loudly across Europe.
One thing is certain. When the window opens, this will not be a quiet negotiation. It will be a battle of ambition, money, vision, and power. And somewhere in the middle of it all stands one player, trying to decide where his future truly lies.
