Arsenal target Sandro Tonali as Tottenham's £80m bid for Newcastle man is rejected

Arsenal are monitoring Sandro Tonali as a potential summer signing after Newcastle rejected an £80m offer from Tottenham, with reports suggesting the Italian midfielder’s preference is to join the Gunners rather than their north London rivals.

Spurs are expected to return with a second bid for Tonali after their initial approach was rebuffed, but the move could be complicated by Arsenal’s interest. According to the Daily Mail, Newcastle’s hierarchy were caught off guard by Tottenham’s offer, having previously only discussed a potential sale to Arsenal or Manchester City.

Arsenal were offered the opportunity to sign Tonali on the final day of the January transfer window, but the timeline proved too tight to complete a deal. Interest from the Emirates has reportedly persisted since, and should Arteta’s side move quickly, it would not be the first time they have diverted a target away from Spurs — Eberechi Eze appeared set for Tottenham last August before Arsenal made a late move to sign the Crystal Palace winger.

Sporting director Andrea Berta is working alongside Arteta on what is expected to be a more selective window than last summer’s record £250m spend across six signings. The club’s stated aim this time is to bring in fewer players of a higher calibre.

On a separate front, Arsenal are also tracking Chilean winger Dario Osorio, 22, of FC Midtjylland. The Gunners scouted Osorio last summer but did not follow through with a bid. His form in Denmark — eight goals and 10 assists across the season — has kept him on Arsenal’s radar, and Midtjylland technical director Kristian Kjaer told The Standard that he believes the north Londoners remain keen.

Kjaer drew a striking comparison for the youngster, likening Osorio to former Arsenal and Chile great Alexis Sanchez — a player who became one of the Premier League’s most dynamic attackers during his time at the club.

Arsenal’s transfer activity is expected to accelerate in July once the World Cup concludes, with 15 Gunners players currently representing their nations at the tournament following the club’s Premier League title-winning season.