Arsenal reportedly turned down the opportunity to sign Sandro Tonali before Tottenham Hotspur sealed a £100million agreement with Newcastle United. Tonali, 26, is set to become the second player to shatter Spurs’ transfer record during this summer window, with Matheus Fernandes also expected to arrive from West Ham United for £85million.
The Gunners had also shown interest in the Portugal international. This means two of the most sought-after Premier League midfielders on the market during this summer transfer window are now heading to north London.
The duo will help transform the Spurs’ midfield, with a revamped side expected next season. Tonali, however, could have ended up at the Emirates Stadium.
ChronicleLive reports that his agent Giuseppe Riso offered the Italy international to Arsenal. Yet the Gunners are said to have rejected that chance because they considered his salary expectations excessive.
Tonali is understood to be set to receive £275,000 per week at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on a six-year deal. Riso also supposedly requested a 10% agent fee.
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Riso discussed his client’s availability candidly ahead of this summer’s transfer window opening. He said in March: “Exactly, that was the goal from the moment he went to England – to try to make him a star player. I think he’s the Italian footballer with one of the highest values in the world.
“The deal came about because a club like Newcastle, with unlimited financial resources, had decided to invest in Sandro. We considered the idea of having the player play in a higher-level league.”
Spurs will pay an initial £92.5million, with £7.5million in add-ons dependent on Champions League qualification. Them improving their initial £80million offer by around £20million sealed the deal with Newcastle.
View 2 ImagesSandro Tonali appears to have already played his final match for Newcastle United(Image: Newcastle United, Newcastle United via Getty Images)
Arsenal are also believed to be in the running to sign Bruno Guimaraes. The Gunners’ interest in the Brazil international is said to stretch back to 2020, when the midfielder was still playing for Atletico Paranaense in his home country.
Newcastle, however, have already recouped £80million from Anthony Gordon’s sale this summer. With a further £100million set to follow from the Tonali deal, they appear even less inclined to lose their club captain.
Their chief executive, David Hopkinson, addressed the prospect of players departing three months ago, stating: “We think through what players might or might not want to do this summer.
“But if an [Alexander] Isak-like scenario presents itself again, any player under contract is going to leave on our terms. And we’re going to maximise the opportunity that might represent for the club.”
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