SANDRO TONALI’S agent put Arsenal on red alert – claiming he is planning talks with Newcastle this summer over the star’s future.
The £100m-rated Italian midfielder, 25, has been the subject of intense speculation this week with the Gunners, Manchester City and Chelsea all keen to sign him along with several Serie A sides.
Sun Sport revealed how Tonali made no secret of his frustrations over a run of one win in seven while passing journalists in the mixed zone after Wednesday’s Carabao Cup defeat at the Etihad.
That came less than an hour after his public on-field exchange with City boss Pep Guardiola set tongues-wagging.
His manager Eddie Howe held talks with Tonali this week and stressed his maestro assured him he was happy on Tyneside.
The player’s agent Giuseppe Riso also denied reports that he contacted Arsenal on deadline day over a potential deal – something Toon chiefs believe.
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However, in a fresh interview with Italian newspaper Tuttosport, he says he plans to have a discussion with Newcastle regarding Tonali’s future.
Riso said: “Newcastle are having a hard time letting go of Sandro, and he wants to lead the club to the Champions League.
“These transfer discussions will take place later. We’ll see how the season ends and then we’ll decide what to do.
“There’s no preference at the moment. It’s still early. What we’re saying today won’t apply tomorrow.
“Newcastle couldn’t let him go now, and there’s no point in moving, especially since Sandro is very attached to the club. We’ll evaluate and decide what to do in the summer.”
Tonali, who last month along with wife Juliette welcomed a baby boy named Leonardo to the world, does enjoy a close relationship with Howe and remains grateful for the club’s backing during his ten-month betting ban.
He is also tied to a £150,000-a-week contract effectively until 2029, ensuring they would be able to command nearly double the £55m they paid AC Milan for him in 2023.
But when quizzed about his long-term future in November, the honest Tonali said: “This is a tough question because, you know [in] football you need to think year for year. The last summer was tough for us, for Alex [Isak], but this is football.
“If you have an option for your life, for another team you need to think about everything. I don’t want to say, ‘Yes, I want to stay here ten years,’ but now I’m happy here. I don’t think anything about another team.”
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