Arsenal handed Sandro Tonali transfer advice as Man Utd watch star

Sandro Tonali has once again been linked with a move to Arsenal after the Gunners explored the market for a new midfielder late in the January transfer window

Arsenal should avoid signing Newcastle United's Sandro Tonali as midfield is an area where they do not need to strengthen, according to ex-Gunners star Anders Limpar.

Mikel Arteta's side were linked with a shock deadline day move for Tonali, 25, earlier this month, as Arsenal explored the market for a potential replacement for the injured Mikel Merino. However, the Gunners ended up failing to sign a new midfielder and decided to stick with the current squad for the remainder of the season.

They could attempt to go back in for a midfielder and Tonali in the summer transfer window, but Limpar, who made more than 100 appearances during a four-year spell at Arsenal in the 1990s, has urged the Gunners not to sign the Italian as they have "five world-class players" in his position.

FOLLOW OUR ARSENAL FB PAGE! Latest Gunners news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page

Speaking to SpilXperten, Limpar said: "I am not sure if Sandro Tonali can add anything to the midfield. We have [Martin] Zubimendi, Declan Rice and even Merino who will come back. We have [Christian] Norgaard who is unbelievable as well.

"Should they splash the cash for a player like Tonali? He would be number five. He is a hell of a player, but I am not sure he would strengthen Arsenal. If Norgaard plays regularly and is trusted by the manager, he is going to be unbelievable for Arsenal, but he is not playing because Zubimendi and Rice are playing amazingly.

"The midfield is not a spot where Arsenal needs a new player. They have five world-class players, so Tonali wouldn't fit in. In my opinion we shouldn't buy him."

Despite this, Fabrizio Romano reported on Friday morning that Arsenal remain keen on a move for Tonali this summer. They are not the only club who are eyeing up Tonali, however, with Manchester United "watching".

Romano said on his YouTube channel: "I can guarantee that there is a possibility to see Sandro Tonali leaving Newcastle in the summer transfer window.

"Where to go? I mean with Arsenal, conversations, appreciation, for sure, but in January it was absolutely impossible, not even realistic, not even a negotiation, because Arsenal were never going to try and make something impossible happen.

"They know that Newcastle were never letting Tonali leave in the January transfer window. So that story was absolutely impossible.

"In the summer, it could be different. So let's see with Arsenal, but it's not only Arsenal. I can say that, for example, the player is being watched by Manchester United.

"Let's see what's going to happen also with Italian clubs. For example, Juventus dream of Sandro Tonali, but of course it's a very expensive deal."

Tonali has made 99 appearances for Newcastle since his £61.4million move from AC Milan in 2023. Last season, he helped the Magpies end their 56-year trophy drought by winning the Carabao Cup.

He has been one of Newcastle's standout performers this season and has stepped up in Bruno Guimaraes' absence in recent weeks, scoring twice in a recent 3-1 win at Aston Villa in the FA Cup.

Ensure our latest sport headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as Preferred Source in your Google search settings