Newcastle United CEO David Hopkinson admitted he had no clear idea about Sandro Tonali’s reported links to Arsenal on deadline day. Rumors suggested that Tonali’s agent had offered the midfielder to the Premier League leaders, but Hopkinson was unsure if there was any truth to the claims.
“I have no idea. That’s our answer,” Hopkinson said in an interview. He emphasized that manager Eddie Howe was equally in the dark about the situation. Hopkinson described Tonali as “a superstar player under contract here” and confirmed the club’s happiness with the midfielder.
He also highlighted the challenges of managing top players, noting that other clubs will always show interest. Hopkinson stressed the importance of avoiding unnecessary disruption in the transfer market and praised Tonali’s professionalism and positive attitude at Newcastle.
Eddie Howe Addresses Deadline Day Speculation
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe was also questioned about the Arsenal transfer talk. Howe stressed that the club had no intention of selling Tonali and praised the midfielder’s importance to the team. “He’s very happy here and loves representing the city,” Howe said.
When asked if the rumors had unsettled Tonali, Howe dismissed the idea. He said the midfielder maintains a strong relationship with teammates and staff, showing no signs of distraction. Howe acknowledged that top players often attract interest from other clubs, which is simply part of modern football.
Howe also emphasized the team’s collective goals. Tonali is central to Newcastle’s plans as they strive to progress in domestic and European competitions. The manager remains confident that his squad will stay focused and united despite external speculation.
Tonali’s Agent Denies Arsenal Approach
Tonali’s agent, Beppe Riso, publicly denied that he offered the midfielder to Arsenal. “Newcastle won’t let Sandro leave in January, and we never talked to Arsenal about this,” Riso explained. He indicated that any potential discussions about Tonali’s future would only occur in March, after evaluating the situation with Newcastle.
Riso also emphasized the midfielder’s current focus on Newcastle’s ongoing campaigns. Tonali is actively involved in Champions League fixtures, and the timing was not right for transfer talks. This clarification helps to calm the speculation surrounding the player’s commitment to the club.
The agent’s statement underlines the professional approach of both Tonali and Newcastle. It reassures fans and the media that the midfielder remains fully dedicated to his current team, focusing on helping Newcastle achieve success on multiple fronts.
Newcastle Focus Shifts to Crucial Matches
While transfer rumors swirled, Newcastle’s immediate attention is on key upcoming games. The club faces Manchester City in the second leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final, needing a strong performance to overturn a 2-0 deficit from the first leg.
Newcastle is also competing in the Champions League knockout play-offs, set to face Qarabag from Azerbaijan. Tonali’s presence is vital for these high-stakes matches, where the team must perform at its best.
Despite the off-field distractions, the squad appears focused and motivated. Both Hopkinson and Howe emphasize unity and professionalism, aiming to ensure that external transfer talk does not affect Newcastle’s progress in domestic and European competitions. Keep following other interesting football discussions only on footballcoasters.co.uk.