Arsenal news: Sandro Tonali transfer decision made and Gunners eye bargain summer deal

Arsenal are still in contention for four trophies and could be in line for a busy summer transfer window

Arsenal are likely to want to freshen up their squad in the summer regardless of whether they win the Premier League title. However, after links during the winter transfer window, their interest in Sandro Tonali appears to have cooled while other targets emerge.

The Gunners sit seven points clear of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table, though their rivals have a game in hand. Both teams will return to league action over the weekend after looking to gain a first leg lead in their respective Champions League matches in midweek.

Arsenal travel to Germany to face Bayer Leverkusen in Wednesday's early kick-off, with Kasper Hjulmand's side having claimed a 2-0 victory over Olympiacos in their knockout play-off. City, meanwhile, take on Real Madrid later the same day after Los Blancos' 3-1 aggregate win against Benfica.

Our focus for now, however, concerns Arsenal's potential future transfer plans. Here are Mirror Football's latest news from north London.

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Tonali deal on the back burner

Sandro Tonali is not among the names on Arsenal's summer shopping list, according to ChronicleLive. The Newcastle and Italy midfielder is understood to have been put in front of the Gunners during the winter window, though agent Giuseppe Riso disputed those reports.

“We never had any conversation with Arsenal,” Riso told Sky in early February. “Newcastle were never gonna let Tonali leave in January. There’s absolutely nothing into it. We didn’t even talk about it.”

Arsenal are believed to need to tread carefully over the summer due to PSR concerns. Recent reports suggested eight senior stars were among those being considered for sale, including academy graduates Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly.

Mikel Arteta isn't precluded from making additions to his squad in the summer. However, a push for Tonali doesn't look to be high on the club's list of priorities.

Battle for bargain Brandt

Arsenal are among the clubs in the mix for Borussia Dortmund star Julian Brandt, according to reports in Germany. The German international, 29, is out of contract in the summer and has no plans to sign new terms with his current employers.

“There have been open discussions, after which we agreed that the expiring contract would not be extended,” Dortmund sporting director Lars Ricken told Sky Germany after the weekend victory away at Koln. “He has played a few hundred games for Borussia Dortmund. I think we can only be grateful to him; he played for us for seven years.”

Brandt is reported to be keen on a move outside Germany, though Arsenal aren't the only interested party. Barcelona have also been linked, while the attacking midfielder is also said to be open to a move to Italy.

The former Bayer Leverkusen star has 56 goals and 69 assists across nearly 300 Dortmund appearances. He also has 48 caps for Germany and was part of his country's squad at the World Cup in 2018 and 2022.

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