Fabrizio Romano: Arsenal in talks to sign £80m star ahead of Tonali

Can Arsenal pull off one other Eberechi Eze-style hijacking this summer season? Fairly doable.

Again within the winter, it was revealed that the Gunners have been taken with Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali, and though a transfer didn’t happen on the time, they continue to be within the Italian.

Arsenal have reportedly been in talks over a transfer for “a number of weeks”, however have but to formally declare an curiosity in Thun.

There are additionally Spurs on the similar desk. Tonali is their primary goal they usually have agreed private phrases with the participant. If Andrea Berta and others do not make it by means of the race, an enormous amount of cash may very well be at stake.

If he doesn’t transfer to the Emirates Stadium, Arsenal have a lot of alternate options in thoughts.

Arsenal goal to signal key midfield gamers this summer season

Value £85 million, Tonali’s transfer can be an enormous funding this summer season, however the way in which the market is, the confirmed Premier League midfielder will not come low-cost.

Three years in the past, Declan Rice moved to north London for a whopping £105 million. Moises Caicedo then moved on for £115 million. this 12 months. Elliott Anderson appears to be like set to hitch Manchester Metropolis for a payment of over £120m.

So if you need a midfielder with expertise in English soccer, that may be the benchmark. This explains why Tonali is rated so extremely, and why Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton is equally rated by way of value.

The identical could be mentioned for Bournemouth’s Alex Scott, who’s at present on the radar of Arsenal. Fabrizio Romano, who’s valued at £80 million amid speak of ongoing contract negotiations, has revealed an replace on the participant’s future by way of his YouTube channel.

Romano mentioned: “He’s nonetheless on Arsenal’s shortlist. He is without doubt one of the gamers they price extremely. We’re additionally in talks with the participant’s agent and Bournemouth to grasp whether or not there’s a risk of a transfer.”

“Bournemouth have supplied the participant a brand new contract. Bournemouth are eager for the participant to stay with a launch clause, however Arsenal are contemplating a transfer for the participant.”

Why Scott is a greater deal than Tonali

Arsenal will signal a participant described by Tonali’s agent Beppe Riso as “among the best midfielders on the planet”.

For Newcastle, he has confirmed himself to be an elite expertise, a world-class quantity six who cannot solely dictate play but additionally drive play ahead.

However he would not supply the spherical bundle that Scott does. Which means the Guernsey-born midfielder is a extra full participant and a greater match for what Arsenal are on the lookout for this summer season.

He has lengthy been extremely regarded since his breakthrough at Bristol Metropolis. He progressed nicely on the Cherries, but it surely wasn’t till 2025/26 that he actually burst onto the scene with a string of extremely spectacular performances.

Arsenal noticed the harm Scott can do within the title sport on the Emirates when he ran onto the ball and fired a devastating end previous David Raya to attain the fateful objective.

Scott, simply 22, solely offered one help and scored 4 targets final season, however his influence went far past what he confirmed within the remaining third. The truth is, he outperformed Tonali final season in lots of metrics related to being a top-level midfielder.

Shortly earlier than being chosen for England’s World Cup squad, Scott was not shortlisted, but it surely was no marvel why he was included within the dialog.

If Tonali is without doubt one of the finest midfielders within the league, then Scott is unquestionably up there as nicely. For Bournemouth, he was all over the place. He’s a greater and more practical ball provider and dribbler than the Italian, whereas additionally having the ability to deal with extra defensive duties.

That is not simply because Andoni Iraola’s aspect have been in all probability higher defensive, however as a result of the Scot usually likes to duel. He’s additionally considerably extra press resistant and attracts extra fouls.

In a position to play as a deeper midfielder or extra ahead as a quantity eight, the Bournemouth man would add a number of ingredient to Arsenal’s midfield.

Like Martin Zvimendi, he’s sharp in possession. Like Rice, he collects the ball very nicely and, like Miles Lewis-Skelly, carries it ahead with loads of goal.

£80m appears like quite a bit, however the 22-year-old has the potential to grow to be an everyday for England and Arsenal.