Arsenal news: Newcastle issue Sandro Tonali update as transfer loophole emerges
Mirror Football brings you the latest Arsenal news from the Emirates Stadium
Arsenal were linked with Sandro Tonali earlier this week(Image: Newcastle United via Getty Image)
Transfer talk still surrounds Arsenal despite the January window closing earlier this week. The Gunners, after a quiet month in terms of signings, have added two more academy talents to their youth ranks.
They managed to sign both Stoke City defender Jaden Dixon, 18, and St Mirren striker Evan Mooney, 18, for a combined fee of around £1million as part of their new focus on signing teenage prodigies.
After the Carabao Cup semi-final against Chelsea on Tuesday evening, Mikel Arteta’s men will turn their attention to the Premier League, where they will face this season’s surprise package Sunderland at the Emirates Stadium.
NOW, Mirror football looks at two of the most recent stories surrounding the Premier League leaders, who are six points clear in the title race as they look to end their 22-year title drought.
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Howe responds to Tonali rumors
Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe has played down rumors surrounding Sandro Tonali’s potential move to Arsenal. On transfer deadline day, it was reported that the Italian midfielder’s agent had offered the player to Arsenal, who were reportedly interested in a deal before Newcastle rejected their offer.
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It was later widely reported that no such offer had been received, while Tonali’s agent Giuseppe Riso insisted he had not offered the player to other clubs. Despite some fears Tonali could seek to force his departure, Howe insisted the Magpies would not endure another protracted transfer saga like that of Alexander Isak last summer.
Asked if Tonali might be disturbed by the rumors, he replied: “I don’t think so, but a lot of things happen without my knowledge. As far as I know, we have a player who is an exceptional footballer, an exceptional person. He is very happy here, he has a great relationship with me, his teammates and seems really happy within himself.
“It would surprise me (if Tonali became unstable) but our best players will always attract the eyes of other clubs – that’s just the reality of football. We want to keep our group together, we want to be progressive and Sandro plays a role in that. Overall I don’t see a problem but I don’t control everything.
“We certainly had no intention of losing Sandro. He is an integral part of what we do. He is very happy here. He is absolutely fine. I had talks with him yesterday (Monday) and he is absolutely focused on playing for us.”
Oxlade-Chamberlain Fault
Although the Premier League transfer window has officially closed, Arsenal have a brief opportunity to finalize a further deal, should they wish to sign Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain as a free agent.
The former Arsenal midfielder, who left Besiktas in August, is currently without a club. He has been training with the north Londoners in recent months and even played for the Under-21s against Manchester United in a behind-closed-doors friendly in December.
Oxlade-Chamberlain’s first deadline to sign a new club is Thursday February 5. However, a little-known rule allows clubs to sign players until March 25 if they leave one of their 25 senior player places vacant when submitting their squads later this week.
Arsenal have so far only filled 21 of their 25 senior positions. And with midfielder Mikel Merino sidelined for a long time due to a broken foot, Arteta could still bank on signing his 32-year-old former Gunners teammate to help fill the void.
The manager refused to rule him out ahead of the Chelsea Carabao Cup home game, saying: “We are exploring all options.”
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