Mikel Arteta makes Arsenal transfer claim amid shock Sandro Tonali & Newcastle United reports
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Newcastle United news: Sandro Tonali was linked with a shock move to Arsenal in the early hours of deadline day after Mikel Merino suffered a foot injury.
Mikel Arteta has revealed that Arsenal are ‘actively looking’ for a new midfielder in the final hours of the winter transfer window following news that Mikel Merino has suffered a serious foot injury.
The Spanish international suffered the injury during Arsenal’s defeat against Manchester United last weekend and subsequently missed their wins over Kairat Almaty and Leeds United in the Champions League and Premier League. A club statement on Merino’s injury revealed that he would be set for an extended time out of action.
That statement read: "Mikel will have surgery in the coming days and will then begin his recovery and rehabilitation programme. Mikel is expected to be out of action for an extended period, with the aim of returning to full training before the end of the season."
With just hours left of the January transfer window left to run, Merino’s injury could force the Gunners into the transfer market and Arteta has confirmed that they will assess all options available to them: “We had the news a few a days ago [about Merino's injury]," said Arteta.
“We are always active in every window. We also had the departure of Ethan [Nwaneri] to Marseille.
“We are actively looking at options - we will try to find a solution, but if we don't we will continue in the same manner we are now.”
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Arsenal linked with shock Newcastle United deadline day transfer
As deadline day began around Europe on Monday morning, a report from Sky Sport Germany threatened to rock their transfer plans. Sandro Tonali was the man at the centre of those reports with Florian Plettenberg reporting of interest from the Emirates Stadium in the Italian international.
He wrote on X: ‘EXCLUSIVE | Arsenal are exploring a surprising Deadline Day move for Sandro #Tonali. Very difficult at this stage, as Newcastle have rejected an initial approach. @SkySportDE.’
Those reports, though, were quickly shot down by Newcastle United with Sky Sports revealing that, despite claims from their sister station in Germany, the Magpies had no intention of losing Tonali.
“Newcastle have had no approach from Arsenal for Sandro Tonali, despite a report by Sky Germany this morning.” Sky Sports stated. “Newcastle have had no contact, don't expect any, and would not welcome any - for a player who is contracted until summer 2029.”
Sky Sports presenter Jessica Creighton added: “In regards to Tonali potentially leaving [Newcastle] to Arsenal, no truth in those reports.”
The Magpies have been very quiet in the winter window and have not added a senior player to Eddie Howe’s first-team squad. January 2023 and their acquisition of Anthony Gordon from Everton remains the last major deal completed by Newcastle United during the mid-season window.
Financial restrictions prevented them from signing anybody during January 2024 and even prevented them from making a loan offer for Kalvin Phillips who would go on to join West Ham. A similar situation arose last January and whilst sales in the summer have lifted those financial restrictions this time around, the club have opted instead to keep their powder dry this month.