Sandro Tonali: Eddie Howe does not see Newcastle midfielder becoming unsettled amid reported Arsenal interest
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe says it was a risk to not sign any players in January transfer window, particularly in defence; watch Man City vs Newcastle in Carabao Cup semi-final second leg on Wednesday, live on Sky Sports from 7pm; kick-off 8pm
Tuesday 3 February 2026 15:23, UK
Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe says he does not see Sandro Tonali becoming "unsettled" amid renewed transfer interest.
There were reports on Deadline Day that Tonali's agent had offered the player to Arsenal, and the Magpies had rejected an approach.
However, Sky Sports News understands Newcastle had no contact from the Gunners for Tonali. His agent Giuseppe Riso also insisted he had not offered the Italian to other clubs.
It was a hot topic for Howe at his pre-match press conference ahead of their Carabao Cup semi-final second leg at Manchester City on Wednesday, live on Sky Sports.
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Some drew comparisons between Tonali's current situation and that of Alexander Isak, who ended up moving to Liverpool last summer in a protracted transfer saga.
But Howe was sure that Tonali would not become unsettled by transfer rumours, saying: "I don't think so, but lots of things happen without my knowledge.
"As far as I'm aware, we've got player who is an outstanding footballer, an outstanding person. He's very happy here, he's got a great relationship with me, his teammates, and seems really happy within himself.
"That would surprise me [if Tonali became unsettled], but our best players will always attract glances from 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 part in that. All encompassed, I don't see an issue but I don't control everything.
"There was certainly no intention from our side to lose Sandro at all. He's such an integral player to what we're doing. He's very happy here.
"He is absolutely fine. I had discussions with him yesterday [Monday] and he is absolutely focused on playing for us.
"His only focus is Man City and trying to win that game. There's absolutely no issue with Sandro himself and he's committed."
When asked what the club could learn from Isak's saga to help them now, Howe added: "Probably a lot, but stuff that's above me, I think.
"In the summer, we didn't have a sporting director, which massively impacted our way of working, in terms of dealing with agents and that situation.
"We were in a more vulnerable position than we are now. Ross [Wilson] has filled that position and is showing really good leadership in dealing with transfers and all the things that it entails. We're in a strong position now to navigate those waters with a calmer, clearer way."
Howe admits lack of defensive signings a risk
Newcastle made no signings during the January transfer window, despite areas like their defence being in need of attention.
With the club still in four competitions, Howe admitted it is a risk to be depleted at the back given their busy fixture schedule.
He said: "Yes [it is a risk], but we were left with no other option really. Every decision we make has a long-term implication. There's no guarantees that signing someone with the funds we had available would help us short term anywayn - so it is what is is.
"We've been used to working in these conditions now for a while. We've only been active in one transfer window out of the last four or five.
"We're under financial restrictions, we have to be really smart, so we've decided to wait until the summer. The decision is the summer window is easier to recruit. There's a lot more players available and potentially better value for money.
"But we also had a very limited amount of money to use in this window, were the right players available to help us in the very short term, which we have a need [for].
"Those options weren't there for us, so we can't sign players that don't exist and we have to work under the conditions we're in."
The Magpies have long had to work within the confines of the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability Rules, which Howe says has been affecting their ability to sign players.
He added: "It's impacting us. It's been impacting us for a number of years, but we have to follow the rules otherwise there's points deductions and other sanctions placed upon us.
"It would have detrimental effects to what we're doing, so we're trying to fall in line, be progressive and move forward. That's an ongoing challenge for us."
What actually happened with Tonali and Arsenal?
The Athletic's David Ornstein, speaking on Sky Sports News on Transfer Deadline Day, said of the Tonali reports: "A complicated one. Unless you're fully on the inside, you don't know the exact ins and outs of it all.
"Arsenal have had an admiration of Tonali for a long time, dating back years. A few of us had reported on it.
"Arsenal had the injury to Mikel Merino coming into the deadline. There was a possibility they would move in the market for potential cover.
"I don't think anyone thought Tonali would be on the agenda, with good reason. There was never any chance of him leaving Newcastle.
"We established across the course of the day that there were absolutely no talks between Newcastle and Arsenal. No club-to-club contact at all.
"But a representative of Tonali, and there is some conjecture about how many people represent him, reached out to Arsenal and their sporting director Andrea Berta and offered the player to the club.
"And for Berta, it's his job to explore these situations and look into viability with the agent. And it became clear very quickly that there was no viability.
"Newcastle had no intention of opening any doors to Tonali leaving either now or in the future. If they did, the price would be way too high for Arsenal's capabilities at this moment in time.
"Complete perplexion at Newcastle. They had no talks, no contact, no communication and no intent of letting him go. I don't think it was ever on to be off."
