Newcastle United have received no contact on deadline day regarding Sandro Tonali – despite claims of interest from a Premier League competitor. A report from Sky Sport in Germany suggested that Arsenal were “exploring” a potential move for the Italy international. However, sources on Tyneside indicate that Tonali has had ‘no contact’ and the suggestion that the Gunners have made an approach is ‘not true’.
Tonali is tied to a contract until 2029, with his deal extended during his 10-month FIFA suspension for illegal betting. Sporting director Ross Wilson revealed only in December: “My first three or four days in the job was when I found that Sandro’s contract situation as significantly better than the one I was expecting. My first days were about analysing contracts – where are we, where are we strong, where are we weak, where have we got issues?”
Tonali has been repeatedly linked with a return to Italy, with Juventus and AC Milan mentioned as potential destinations by Italian journalists. However, Newcastle believe that no Serie A club could meet the required fee for the midfielder.
Newcastle would hold a commanding position regarding Tonali should they receive an approach from a top-flight domestic competitor. Newcastle were left baffled by a report from Florian Plettenberg on deadline day saying he could join Arsenal.
Discussing his future at the end of last year, Tonali said: “This is a tough question because, you know, [in] football you need to think year for year. I don’t want to say I want to stay here 10 years and in two years, three years, four years [or] five years I will go.”
Meanwhile,a move for Allan Saint-Maximin is not being considered. The Frenchman departed Club America at the weekend following racist abuse directed at his children.
However, a return to Newcastle is understood to be off the table, according to sources close to the French winger. Club America manager Andre Jardine described Saint-Maximin as a “fantastic” player with “the ability to play in any league in the world.”