Arsenal could launch a shock move to land Manchester United transfer target Sandro Tonali, by sanctioning a genius swap deal involving a player wanted by Newcastle.
The Gunners are looking to strengthen this summer after winning the Premier League for the first time since 2004. They also finished runners up in the Champions League, losing on penalties to Paris Saint Germain.
Manager Mikel Arteta is believed to want to bring in an attacking player. Arsenal have been linked with moves for Bournemouth’s Eli Junior Kroupi, Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers and Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez.
In midfield, the Gunners are fairly well stocked, especially with the impending return of Mikel Merino from injury and Myles Lewis Skelly’s recent conversion back from left back to defensive midfielder. But with uncertainty over the futures of Merino and Christian Norgaard, midfield may be an area Arteta decides to add to.
The Tonali links
Arsenal were very briefly linked with a big money move for Newcastle star Tonali on deadline day in January, with Sky Sports Germany’s Florian Plettenberg claiming the Gunners had made initial contacts over signing the Italian. That speculation was swiftly denied by Newcastle.
However, Tonali has been heavily linked with a move to Manchester United instead this summer. According to CaughtOffside, Tonali is now United’s ‘top priority’ after they reached an agreement to sign Atalanta midfielder Ederson earlier in June.
But Arsenal could throw a spanner into the works.
The Trossard situation
Turkish outlet Sporx claim that Super Lig giants Besiktas are interested in bringing Arsenal winger Leandro Trossard to the club after another successful season in north London. The 31 year old is often one of Arsenal’s more unsung heroes, scoring nine goals and providing 10 assists in all competitions this season.
His contract runs until the end of next season, with the Belgian having agreed a new two year contract with a pay rise last August. Arsenal could therefore cash in this summer.
Notably, the same report claims that Besiktas face competition from Newcastle in their attempts to sign Trossard, with the Magpies ‘closely monitoring his situation’. Juventus, Atletico Madrid, Inter Milan and Aston Villa are also credited with an interest.
The swap deal that could work
For Newcastle, who have not qualified for European football next season, any offers for Tonali could be hard to resist. They may be more likely to accept if a player they are interested in is offered as part of a swap deal.
The Magpies have already sold Anthony Gordon to Barcelona for a fee of around £75m. Gazzetta dello Sport report that Tonali’s price tag has been set at an eye watering £100m partly due to a 10 per cent sell on clause that previous club AC Milan inserted as part of the deal that brought him to St James’ Park for £60.8m in 2023.
The bottom line
Arsenal want to strengthen. Newcastle need to balance the books. Trossard is available. Tonali is expensive.
A swap deal makes sense for everyone.
Arsenal get their midfield reinforcement. Newcastle get a proven Premier League winger to help with their own rebuild. United are left scrambling for an alternative.
Tonali to Manchester United has seemed inevitable for weeks. But Arsenal have a habit of pulling off deals nobody sees coming.
Don’t rule this one out. Especially if Trossard is the key that unlocks it.
