Arsenal will have the world’s best midfield if they sign Sandro Tonali from Newcastle this summer.
It is the view of former Arsenal full-back Nacho Monreal that no club in world football would boast a stronger set of midfield options than the Gunners if they splashed out on 26-year-old Tonali.
Arsenal, who won the Premier League this season and were Champions League finalists, have been linked with the Italy midfielder for some time.
There had been an acceptance at Newcastle that the club’s need to raise finances meant they may have to sell at least one of their big-hitters Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes and Anthony Gordon this summer.
Gordon has already left the club, making his dream move to Barcelona.
Newcastle have a high valuation on Tonali which it is said could put top clubs off moving for him.
Arsenal’s midfield has featured Declan Rice, Martin Zubimendi and Martin Odegaard for much of this season, with the likes of Eberechi Eze and Myles Lewis-Skelly also breaking into the position at moments.
“If Arsenal sign Tonali, obviously they will have the best midfield in the world,” said Monreal, who between 2013 and 2019 played 251 times for the Gunners.
“But they signed Zubimendi last year for a lot of money, so it is a difficult one,” he added.
“To have both Tonali, Zubimendi, and Rice would be a lot, so I can only imagine that they would have to sell either Zubimendi or Declan Rice if they really want Tonali.
“In my opinion, they already have the two best defensive midfielders in the world.”
Arsenal’s recruitment team are keen on the Aston Villa attacker Morgan Rogers, who is currently away with the England team ahead of the World Cup and is expected by many to leave the Villans before next season.
Monreal, who was speaking to Rekatochklart, said: “Morgan Rogers is fantastic as well and he has had a super good season. He has done well for Aston Villa and we are talking about a top player here.”
