Eddie Howe has admitted he is “not in control” of Sandro Tonali’s future, but Newcastle’s manager believes the Italy midfielder remains happy on Tyneside. A quiet transfer deadline day at St James’ Park featured swiftly-crushed suggestions that Arsenal were poised to bid for Tonali. There were fears it could be a precursor to a possibly agent-led initiative to move the midfielder this summer.
Howe, perhaps fearing a repeat of the debilitating saga that led to Alexander Isak’s departure for Liverpool in the summer, held talks on Monday with his £55m signing.