Arsenal reignite Tonali talks with Newcastle as Gunners target Italy star to ease Rice burden | OneFootball

Arsenal have revived their interest in Sandro Tonali and reopened preliminary discussions with Newcastle United, with Mikel Arteta identifying the Italy international as his primary midfield target ahead of what promises to be another significant summer of investment at the Emirates.

According to TuttoMercatoWeb, the Gunners first explored the possibility of signing Tonali in January before the timing made a deal impossible. Initial contacts have now resumed between the two clubs as they begin to establish the parameters and likely cost of a potential transfer.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 20: Declan Rice of Arsenal is battles for possession with Tim Iroegbunam of Everton during the Premier League match between Everton and Arsenal at Hill Dickinson Stadium on December 20, 2025 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

Arsenal seek Tonali as Declan Rice cover after Champions League final

The motivation behind the pursuit is clear. Arsenal’s midfield has leaned heavily on Declan Rice throughout their title-winning campaign, with the England international repeatedly called upon to cover for the absence of genuine alternatives at his level.

Adding a player of Tonali’s quality, a tenacious, technically gifted box-to-box midfielder with Champions League experience, would give Arteta the depth and competition his squad currently lacks in the centre of the park.

Arsenal head into the Champions League final against PSG in Budapest in five days’ time before attention turns fully to the summer window.

The club moved decisively last year in securing Viktor Gyokeres, Martin Zubimendi and Eberechi Eze, and Arteta is understood to be equally ambitious in his plans for the coming months.

Tonali, who served a ten-month ban for betting violations before returning to form at Newcastle, would represent another statement signing from one of European football’s most purposeful recruiters.