Sandro Tonali is “very happy” at Newcastle says Eddie Howe amid Arsenal links | OneFootball

Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has played down speculation linking Sandro Tonali (25) with a move to Arsenal, insisting the midfielder is “very happy” and fully committed to the club.

Reports from BBC Sport on deadline day suggested the Premier League leaders were exploring a move for the Italy international, but Newcastle were quick to stress that Tonali was not for sale and that no contact had been made. His agent, Giuseppe Riso, also denied holding talks with Arsenal, although he hinted any future discussions would depend on Newcastle’s stance later in the year.

Howe confirmed he spoke directly to Tonali earlier this week and found a player focused solely on Newcastle’s immediate objectives, with the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg against Manchester City firmly in mind. “He’s absolutely focused on the here and now,” Howe said. “There’s no issue with Sandro himself.”

Tonali joined Newcastle from AC Milan in 2023 on a five-year deal and has since made 92 appearances. After serving a 10-month betting ban, he signed a one-year contract extension, with the club also holding an option to extend his stay until 2030.

While acknowledging that Newcastle’s leading players will inevitably attract interest, Howe believes the club are now better equipped to manage such situations. “We want to keep the group together and keep progressing,” he said. “Sandro is a big part of that.”

GFN | Finn Entwistle