Arsenal's approach for AC Milan star Sandro Tonali shocked many, though the Italian's profile does look perfect for the style of midfielder that Mikel Arteta is after this summer.
The 22-year-old has reportedly been the centre of talks between Edu and the Serie A champions as the Gunners look to strengthen the centre of the pitch this season, despite the signing of Fabio Viera.
Youri Tielemans had been top of the list for Arteta but football.london understands that Arsenal are seriously considering delaying the move until 2023 where the Belgian would be available for free, though there could be some extra Premier League competition for his signing this summer if Arsenal aren't careful.
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With attackers also high on the priority list, adding a player with eight contributions to goals from a deep midfield position suits Arteta, and more so does his previous descriptions as being the 'next Pirlo.' Although Tonali looks like the former Italy great, Pirlo himself downplayed the comparison two years ago before the now Milan midfielder's big move, saying, "He is very good but he is different from me on the pitch.
“He has everything to be a champion but he is more a midfielder for a two-man midfield. He could already play for a great team; he is the best in this league."
Tonali himself actually based his game around Gennaro Gattuso, another fantastic player in the a double-pivot role, and this is what has attracted Arteta, and the £47.5m asking fee isn't thought to be an issue. What could stop the move is that the player himself is more than comfortable at the San Siro.
Having joined from Brescia in 2021, following a season long loan at Milan first, Tonali is just one year into his five-year deal and it's not something he wants to end, even if his club would listen to offers for him at a certain price. Speaking earlier this season he said, "Reducing my salary for Milan was the least of my concerns, just as the renewal will be, because what’s certain is that I want to be here, contract after contract."
After his loan deal Milan did express a desire to sign him, though it came at the cost of being on lower wages, and his reason for it has all but doomed any chance that Arsenal's bid would result in a transfer. He said, "why did I do it? Because the desire to stay at Milan came first. The terms of the redemption from Brescia had expired and we were starting from scratch: for me it was important to take a step towards Milan.
“There were other clubs, even with higher salaries to offer, but I am happy here. Every player thinks differently. Some think about career and ambition, others about money. I believe that being well in a team is essential. At Milan I can achieve all my goals, I can have everything in the club where I am happy.”
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