Tonali to Arsenal: Agent makes transfer confession

Sandro Tonali’s agent has spoken out on the possibility of leaving Newcastle after the player was linked with a stunning Deadline Day move to Arsenal.

Although a deal never appeared close, there is now a degree of uncertainty over Tonali’s long-term future after The Athletic claimed that agent Beppe Riso offered him to the Emirates club.

The Gunners were said to be viewing him as a potential replacement for long-term injury victim Mikel Merino.

Newcastle respond to Arsenal rumours

Newcastle hit back via chief executive David Hopkinson, who admits that the Magpies are in the dark over what triggered the rumour.

Speaking to Talksport, he was asked if Tonali’s agent had triggered the rumour by offering the Italy international to Arsenal.

“I have no idea. That’s our answer,” he said. “Eddie got it right, he doesn’t know, I don’t know. Here’s what I do know, he’s a superstar player, he’s under contract here.

“He’s not the only player we had that other clubs would covet, so I think if we get a situation where people aren’t trying to muck about and sew some chaos into the marketplace in order to dislodge our players then we’ve got a real problem.

“Sandro has been a wonderful player, a smile’s on every day I see him, I believe he’s happy here and we’re certainly happy with him.”

Tonali agent admits he will explore transfer options

Riso has denied claims that he is seeking to engineer Tonali’s Newcastle exit – but he did admit that he will explore the possibility of a move before the summer transfer window.

“I read the rumours, but Newcastle won’t let Sandro leave in January, and we never talked to Arsenal about this,” he told Sky Sport Italia.

“We will evaluate in March whether Newcastle are open to anything, but right now he is playing in the Champions League, it is not the right moment to talk about it.”

Tonali has previously been linked with a move back to Serie A, where he is coveted primarily by Juventus.

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