Arsenal move for Sandro Tonali edges closer, following Newcastle United replacement bombshell: report

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Arsenal have explored adding another midfielder to Mikel Arteta’s squad in Sandro Tonali

PARIS, FRANCE - JANUARY 28: Sandro Tonali of Newcastle United during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD8 match between Paris Saint-Germain and Newcastle United FC at Parc des Princes on January 28, 2026 in Paris, France. (Photo by George Wood - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
Arsenal were said to hold some interest in Sandro Tonali this winter (Image credit: Getty Images)

Arsenal reportedly looked at signing Sandro Tonali in the January window, and may soon have the green light to go back in this summer.

David Ornstein reported links as the winter window closed, stating that Tonali had been offered by an agent to the Gunners, and they looked into it, but never made contact with the Magpies.

Newcastle United give Arsenal the green light for Sandro Tonali

Paris, France - January 29: Sandro Tonali of Newcastle United and Joao Neves of Paris Saint-Germain in action during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD8 match between Paris Saint-Germain and Newcastle United FC at Parc des Princes on January 28, 2026 in Paris, France. (Photo by Tnani Badreddine/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images)

Tonali's contract runs until 2029, with a club option of an additional year (Image credit: Getty Images)

On the face of it, Newcastle would presumably be against selling one of their key players and with a contract running until 2030, should they activate Tonali’s additional year, they hold the cards to repel Arsenal.

But reports suggest they are already sounding out replacements, which may make them more amenable to sale.

METZ, FRANCE - JANUARY 25: Tyler Morton of Lyon celebrates his goal during the Ligue 1 McDonald's match between Metz and Lyon at Stade Saint-Symphorien on January 25, 2026 in Metz, France. (Photo by Sathire Kelpa/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)

Tyler Morton is being looked at as a Tonali replacement for Newcastle (Image credit: Getty Images)

According to French website Jeunes Footeux, Newcastle are lining up Lyon midfielder Tyler Morton as their Tonali replacement.

Morton came through the Liverpool academy and made 14 appearances for the first team, but opted to move on last summer.

The 23-year-old has seemingly hit the ground running across the English Channel, with 29 appearances, two goals and three assists already under his belt.

The report goes on to state that Lyon would not let him go for less than €30m, over double what they paid a matter of months ago, with Liverpool due 20 per cent of any sale.

Newcastle have reportedly been monitoring Morton for months and view him as a “genuine option” for the summer window, based on Jeunes Footuex’s report.

While Morton is undoubtedly showing real promise for Lyon, coming in as Tonali’s replacement may not satisfy all Newcastle fans.

Ligue 1 and the Premier League are two very different propositions, and with only 66 minutes in England’s top tier under his belt, an adjustment period would certainly be needed.

Much like with Alexander Isak, the Magpies would likely expect that a sale of one of their best players would lead the club to go out and secure one of the hottest names in Europe.

Morton is not quite that yet, but it could prove to be a shrewd move if he continues developing at the same rate.

Isaac Stacey Stronge
Isaac Stacey Stronge
Freelance Writer

Isaac Stacey Stronge is a freelance football writer working for FourFourTwo, Manchester United and Football League World. He has been a season ticket holder at Stockport County throughout the Hatters’ meteoric rise from the National League North to League One and is a die-hard Paddy Madden fan.

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