Arsenal are pushing to land Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali after reports emerged that the Italian star prefers a move to the Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners have been busy in this summer’s transfer window, confirming the permanent signing of defender Piero Hincapie from Bayer Leverkusen for £34.5 million earlier this week.
Hincapie joined Arsenal on an initial loan deal last summer and made 39 appearances in all competitions as the club secured their first league title in 22 years.
The 24-year-old Ecuadorian also helped Arsenal reach the final of the Champions League, cementing his place as a key figure in Mikel Arteta’s squad.
His permanent contract is understood to run until 2031, and his arrival follows a summer last year in which Arsenal spent in excess of £250 million on seven players.
The focus now turns to midfield reinforcement, with concerns growing over the workload of Declan Rice, who played 4,456 minutes for Arsenal last season, the equivalent of nearly 50 full matches.
Rice was spotted limping with heavy strapping around his calf following England’s draw against Ghana, raising further questions about his physical condition heading into next season.
According to The Telegraph’s Luke Edwards, Tonali has a clear preference when it comes to his next club, favouring Arsenal or Manchester City over Tottenham.
Edwards was direct in his assessment, stating: “I also don’t think Tonali really wants to go to Spurs. I’m told he would prefer Manchester City or Arsenal. As ever let’s wait and see.”
This represents a significant development given that Fabrizio Romano had reported Tottenham were the only serious suitor, while the BBC confirmed Spurs had lodged an £80 million bid for the Newcastle midfielder.
Newcastle rejected that offer, with the Magpies understood to be holding out for closer to £100 million for the Italian international.
Tottenham’s reluctance to meet Newcastle’s valuation appears to have given Arsenal a genuine opening in what had been a one-sided pursuit.
Arsenal had shown interest in Tonali before Spurs made their move, and the situation has now shifted considerably in the Gunners’ favour.
However, Tonali may not even be Arsenal’s primary midfield target this summer, with the club also eyeing his Newcastle teammate Bruno Guimaraes.
David Ornstein reported that Arsenal have made a verbal offer to Newcastle for Guimaraes, suggesting the Gunners could attempt to sign two of the Magpies’ most important players.
The 28-year-old Brazilian has been in outstanding form, registering nine goals and five assists in 29 top-flight games last season and adding three assists at the World Cup so far.
Since Guimaraes arrived at St James’ Park, Newcastle have not won a single game in which he has not featured, underlining just how central he is to Eddie Howe’s system.
Arsenal are also monitoring Bournemouth’s Alex Scott as they look to address the pressing need for midfield depth ahead of another demanding campaign on multiple fronts.
Newcastle face the prospect of losing two of their biggest stars in the same window, a scenario that would represent a serious blow to their own ambitions for the coming season.
With Rice’s fitness a growing concern and a Champions League campaign on the horizon, Arsenal’s midfield recruitment this summer could prove decisive to their title defence.