Arsenal urged to avoid £100m transfer move for Man Utd and Chelsea target

Anders Limpar urges Arsenal to avoid £100m Sandro Tonali transfer move, warning the Newcastle star would not fit Arteta’s system.

Anders Limpar warns Arsenal against pursuing a blockbuster summer move for Sandro Tonali, insisting the Italian midfielder does not suit Mikel Arteta’s system — and arguing that the £100m price tag makes the risk even greater for Arsenal’s transfer strategy.

The former Gunners midfielder has urged the club to avoid being drawn into a high-profile bidding war for the Newcastle United star, despite growing interest from Manchester United and Chelsea. According to Limpar, quality alone is not enough — and Tonali simply “won’t fit” the tactical structure Arteta has built at the Emirates.

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Tonali joined Newcastle from AC Milan in 2023 for £55m but has endured a disrupted spell on Tyneside following a 10-month betting ban early in his time at the club. Since returning, he has shown flashes of his elite ability — strong ball progression, positional discipline, and composure in deep midfield roles — but speculation continues over a potential big-money exit.

Newcastle are reportedly demanding around £100m to even consider a sale, a figure that reflects both his talent and their reluctance to lose a key asset under contract until 2029.

That valuation has not scared off interest from Manchester United and Chelsea, but for Arsenal, Limpar believes it should trigger caution rather than temptation.

Anders Limpar: “He won’t strengthen Arsenal”

Limpaar told SpilXperten and delivered a blunt assessment.

“He is a hell of a player, but I am not sure he would strengthen Arsenal. In my opinion, we shouldn’t buy him.”

The core of his argument is tactical, not technical. Limpar believes Tonali’s style does not suit the high-pressing, fluid midfield structure Arteta has built around Declan Rice and Martin Ødegaard.

Rather than being a natural fit, Tonali would require structural adaptation — something Arteta has consistently avoided when shaping his squad.

Arsenal drive their recent recruitment success through tactical compatibility, not just profile or reputation. Arteta targets players like Declan Rice and Kai Havertz because they meet specific positional and structural needs — not because of market value or hype.

Parlour argues that spending £100m on a midfielder who may not naturally integrate into Arteta’s pressing model, positional rotations, and vertical build-up structure would represent a strategic risk rather than a smart evolution.

In short: talent does not equal fit — and fit defines success at Arsenal.

Manchester United view Tonali as a potential long-term successor to Casemiro, while Chelsea’s ongoing midfield rebuild has also placed the Italian on their radar.

Despite rumours of tensions at Newcastle, Tonali has publicly dismissed any issues, insisting his relationship with Eddie Howe is “perfect” and playing down any exit talk.

That stance complicates any potential transfer — but the speculation continues as the summer window approaches.

Arsenal’s smarter path forward

With Arsenal fighting for major honours and managing squad evolution carefully, the club’s recruitment strategy remains focused on balance, cohesion, and tactical harmony.

Rather than chasing marquee names, Arsenal continue to prioritise players who elevate the system — not disrupt it.

For Parlour, the message is simple: not every elite player belongs in every elite team.

And at £100m, a wrong fit becomes a costly mistake.

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