Idman.biz
Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe has responded to the swirling rumors about midfielder Sandro Tonali's possible move to Arsenal in the final hours of the transfer window that closed yesterday. The statement comes at an important time for the club - against the backdrop of preparations for the Champions League play-off matches against Qarabag of Agdam.
Idman.Biz reports that the discussions were caused by the concern of the fans. They fear that the situation will resemble last year's Alexander Isak transfer scenario. That process ended with the player moving from Newcastle to Liverpool. Adding to the resonance of the rumors is Arsenal's need to strengthen their midfield. This is due to Mikel Merino's serious injury, and the Spanish midfielder is expected to be out for the rest of the season.
News of the London club's interest in Tonali has come as a surprise. At Newcastle, these claims were quickly dismissed as baseless, and the player's agent, Giuseppe Riso, explicitly denied any contact with Arsenal. Nevertheless, the wave of discussion has caused some concern at St. James' Park, especially on the eve of crucial European Cup matches.
Ahead of the League Cup semi-final against Manchester City, Howe touched on the subject, admitting that it is impossible to fully control all the processes taking place in football. At the same time, he emphasized that he did not see any signs of destabilization in the team. According to the coach, Tonali feels comfortable in the team, his relations with both teammates and coaching staff are excellent, and talks about a possible departure would be a surprise for him.
The head coach also touched separately on Tonali's return to a high level after a long disqualification. The Italian midfielder previously served a 10-month sentence for violating betting rules, and therefore missed most of the 2023/24 season. This period was a serious test for the player, but the club supported him, and after his return Tonali again became an important figure in Howe's tactical system.
According to the coach, the midfielder is currently fully focused on football and the team's upcoming tasks. Howe said that he personally spoke with Tonali after the rumors spread and was convinced that the only thing that interests the player is the upcoming games and the fight for results. This fight includes matches against Qarabag of Agdam in the Champions League.
Let us remind you that the first match of the play-off stage, Qarabag - Newcastle, will be held on February 18 in Baku. The return match will take place on February 24 in England.
