Arsenal warned one thing could prevent Sandro Tonali and Tino Livramento transfer raid

Arsenal have been linked with making a move for Newcastle United duo Sandro Tonali and Tino Livramento this summer, but could face an uphill battle in securing their services

Newcastle United's qualification for European football in 2026/27 could be the difference maker in preventing Arsenal from signing Sandro Tonali and Tino Livramento this summer.

The Gunners have downplayed any speculation that they have been linked with Tonali in particular as of late, despite a rumoured deadline day move to the Emirates Stadium as the January transfer window ticked down. As for Livramento, the full-back has been tipped as a suitable successor to Ben White, whose future with the Gunners is currently up in the air.

However, according to former Newcastle star Danny Simpson, Newcastle's qualification for Champions League or Europa League football next season could make or break the club's chances of retaining their talent this summer. Speaking to football.london via Lucky Rebel Soccer, he said: "I watched Tonali, he's another one I watched that I was so impressed with.

"I think I tweeted how good I thought he was, watching him live at Man Utd last week. Didn't realise how big he was, to be honest, and didn't realise how well he moved with the ball, off the ball powerful.

"I think any of them top clubs are looking at him in that centre. City need one, Man Utd need one. Chelsea obviously can’t buy players.

"I think he's one definitely people are looking at. Livramento, again with him, playing left-back, right-back. Yes, okay, he's had injuries this season, so we'll see how he finishes this season.

"The other one for me is Lewis Hall. As well, I think he looks…They got him for £30million, which I think at the time raised a few eyebrows, but the way he's developed and looks like for the next 10 years could be a top, top, top left-back in the Premier League and for England.

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“They've got some really good players. I think the other thing is, the other clubs know the financial situation Newcastle are in. Wanting to progress and get more...

"It's going to be an issue. It's going to be tough to hold on to them, but it depends how they finish the season.

"Can they still get European football? If they don't, that's obviously when players will say to Eddie [Howe] and the club, 'I want to play in these big nights that we've just played in, Barcelona, etc.' It'll be very tough, but I think it depends on where we finish in the league this season if we can get European football."

A top five Premier League finish remains as Howe's last hope at securing European football next season, after Newcastle were dumped out of the Champions League 8-3 on aggregate by Barcelona on Wednesday evening.

However, given just how tight it is at the top of the table, and with just eight games to go, finishing in and around the top five will be a tough task.

At present, the Magpies sit ninth in the Premier League standings, seven points adrift of a fifth-place Liverpool and trailing a fourth-place Aston Villa by nine.

Up next for Newcastle is a bitter Tyne-Wear Derby with Sunderland at St James' Park come Sunday, March 22.