Will Sandro Tonali Follow Alexander Isak’s Path? Eddie Howe Speaks Out on Newcastle Midfielder’s Future Amid Arsenal Transfer Links

Deadline-Day Arsenal Rumours Spark Familiar Fears at St James’ Park

Transfer deadline day has a habit of stirring emotions, but few moments in this winter window unsettled Newcastle United supporters quite like the sudden rumours linking Sandro Tonali with a shock move to Arsenal. Just when fans thought the club could enjoy a quiet end to the market, whispers began to circulate that the Premier League title-chasing Gunners were considering a late approach for the Italian midfielder.

For those on Tyneside, it felt uncomfortably familiar. The echoes of the Alexander Isak saga, which dominated the summer of 2025 before ending with the Swede’s record-breaking move to Liverpool, were impossible to ignore. That long, draining episode began with light speculation and ended with Newcastle reluctantly cashing in on one of their brightest stars.

So when Eddie Howe faced the media ahead of a crucial Carabao Cup semi-final against Manchester City, it was inevitable that questions would turn toward Tonali — and whether history might be about to repeat itself.

Why Arsenal’s Interest in Sandro Tonali Raised Alarm Bells

On the surface, the logic behind Arsenal’s reported interest was easy to understand. Mikel Arteta has been left short in midfield after Mikel Merino suffered a serious foot injury, one that could rule the Spaniard out for the remainder of the season. Arsenal’s ambitions across multiple fronts — the Premier League, Champions League, and domestic cups — mean depth is no luxury, it’s a necessity.

Tonali, a Premier League-proven midfielder with tactical intelligence, energy, and composure on the ball, fits that profile perfectly. But what made the reports so startling was their timing. A deadline-day move for a key Newcastle player felt wildly optimistic, bordering on unrealistic.

Within hours, Newcastle sources dismissed the rumours as “complete rubbish,” while Tonali’s agent, Giuseppe Riso, publicly denied any contact with Arsenal. Still, as every Newcastle fan knows, rumours have a way of taking on a life of their own — and once a player’s name enters the transfer conversation, it can be hard to silence.

Eddie Howe Addresses the Speculation Head-On

Eddie Howe is not a manager known for dramatics, and his response to the Tonali speculation was calm, measured, and revealing in equal measure. Asked whether this felt like the start of a destabilising campaign — similar to what happened with Isak — Howe resisted the urge to escalate the situation.

“I don’t think so,” he said initially, before adding a telling caveat: “But lots of things happen without my knowledge.”

That admission struck a chord. It was honest, perhaps too honest for some supporters who crave absolute certainty. Howe went on to praise Tonali not just as a footballer, but as a person — highlighting his strong relationships within the squad and his apparent happiness at the club.

“As far as I’m aware, we have an outstanding person and player,” Howe explained. “He seems really happy within himself, with a great relationship with me and his teammates. So that would surprise me.”

But then came the line that encapsulated modern football — and Newcastle’s current reality.

“He’s one of our best players,” Howe added. “He’s always going to attract glances. That’s the reality of football. All encompassed, I don’t see an issue, but I’m not in control of everything.”

Echoes of the Alexander Isak Departure Still Linger

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For Newcastle supporters, those words reopened old wounds. The Alexander Isak transfer remains a sore subject, not because of the fee — £125 million softened the blow — but because of how inevitable the move felt by the end.

What started as quiet admiration from rival clubs turned into a relentless media narrative. Every press conference, every match, every quote was filtered through the lens of Isak’s future. Eventually, Newcastle were forced into a corner, and the player was gone.

The fear now is not that Tonali will leave tomorrow, but that the same pattern could unfold over time. Persistent links. Subtle pressure. A sense that the club is fighting against the tide.

Howe was clearly aware of those concerns but chose pragmatism over paranoia.

Tonali’s Mindset: ‘Focused on the Here and Now’

Perhaps the most reassuring aspect of Howe’s press conference was his insight into Tonali’s reaction to the rumours. Rather than letting speculation fester, the Newcastle boss spoke directly with the player.

“Sandro is absolutely fine,” Howe confirmed. “I had a discussion with him yesterday. He’s focused on the here and the now, and playing for us.”

According to Howe, Tonali’s only concern was the upcoming clash with Manchester City — not his long-term future, not Arsenal, not transfer gossip.

“Talking to him yesterday, his only focus was Man City and trying to win that game,” Howe said.

That focus is significant. Since returning from a 10-month ban, Tonali has worked tirelessly to re-establish himself, both on the pitch and within the dressing room. Newcastle stood by him during one of the toughest periods of his career, and that loyalty has not been forgotten.

Why Sandro Tonali Is Central to Newcastle’s Project

From Newcastle’s perspective, Tonali is not just another asset — he is a cornerstone. Signed from AC Milan in 2023, the Italian international was meant to embody the club’s ambition: young, elite-level quality with room to grow.

Despite off-field challenges, his importance has only increased. His ability to dictate tempo, break up play, and contribute in both phases of the game makes him indispensable to Howe’s system.

Letting a player like that go, particularly mid-season, would undermine everything Newcastle are trying to build. It’s no surprise that club officials moved quickly to shut down the Arsenal rumours.

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Life After the Transfer Window: Focus Shifts Back to Football

With the window now closed, the immediate danger has passed. There will be no late-night bids, no last-minute paperwork, no frantic negotiations. For Howe, that means a return to what he does best: preparing his team for big matches.

Newcastle’s Carabao Cup semi-final against Manchester City represents a chance to reach another final — and potentially secure silverware. The timing of the Tonali rumours could not have been worse, but Howe insisted that speculation has not seeped into the dressing room.

“I find it difficult to talk about things that I don’t know too much about,” Howe admitted. “I can only talk about Sandro as the person and the player, and his mindset. Having discussed things with him, he’s absolutely fine.”

Will Sandro Tonali Follow Alexander Isak’s Path?

That is the question lingering in the background, even if no one at Newcastle wants to say it out loud.

For now, the answer appears to be no. Tonali remains committed. Arsenal have been rebuffed. The player is settled. The manager is calm.

But football has a long memory, and transfer sagas rarely announce themselves loudly at the start. They creep in slowly, gathering momentum with each passing window.

As summer approaches, Arsenal’s midfield needs may resurface, and Newcastle’s resolve could be tested again. Until then, Tonali wears black and white, his focus firmly on the pitch.

For the Toon Army, the hope is simple: that Eddie Howe’s surprise stays just that — and doesn’t turn into a sense of déjà vu.