Limpar's Verdict: Tonali Would Be Fifth Fiddle at Arsenal

Speculation over a potential summer move for Newcastle's Sandro Tonali to Arsenal has been swiftly shut down by a familiar voice from the club's past.

Anders Limpar, who graced the Emirates midfield in his playing days, has delivered a blunt assessment: the 25-year-old Italian simply isn't what the Premier League leaders need right now. In fact, Limpar reckons Tonali would find himself languishing in the pecking order, trailing behind even Christian Norgaard, Arsenal's £10million summer recruit.

The speculation gathered pace during January's transfer window when reports suggested Tonali's representatives had offered him to the Gunners on deadline day—claims his agent subsequently denied. While Arsenal were never seriously expected to move, the rumour mill has already begun churning ahead of the summer window. Manchester United are also circling, with potential Champions League qualification making them a viable alternative should Tonali seek a fresh challenge.

For Newcastle, the prospect of another protracted transfer saga looms large. Last summer's Alexander Isak drama demonstrated just how taxing such episodes can be, and Tonali has previously kept the door open regarding his future. Last November, when quizzed about his long-term plans at St James' Park, the former AC Milan man offered a candid response: "This is a tough question because footballers need to think year by year. I don't want to say I want to stay here ten years and in two, three, four or five years I will go. The summer was tough for us, for Alex, but this is football. If you have an option in your life, for another team, you need to think about everything in football. But now I feel happy here. I don't feel anything for another team."

Such honesty may have endeared him to supporters, but it hardly settled Newcastle nerves about his future.

According to Limpar, however, Arsenal supporters needn't lose sleep over missing out. "I am not sure if Sandro Tonali can add anything to the midfield," the Swede told SpilXperten. "We have Zubimendi, Declan Rice and even Merino, who will come back. We have Norgaard, who is unbelievable as well. Should they splash the cash for a player like Tonali? He would be number five."

Limpar's reasoning is straightforward: Arteta's midfield is already brimming with quality. With Zubimendi and Rice currently operating at an elite level, and Merino on the horizon following injury, there's simply no room at the top table for another midfielder of Tonali's stature.

"He is a hell of a player, but I am not sure he would strengthen Arsenal," Limpar continued. "If Norgaard plays regularly and is trusted by the manager, he is going to be unbelievable for Arsenal, but he is not playing because Zubimendi and Rice are playing amazingly. The midfield is not a spot where Arsenal need a new player. They have five world-class players, so Tonali wouldn't fit in. In my opinion, we shouldn't buy him."

It's a perspective that carries weight. Arsenal's midfield depth is arguably the most formidable in the division, leaving little justification for heavyweight spending in that area come summer.