Arsenal tipped to hijack Tottenham deal for £85m transfer target: ‘Best in the world’

Arsenal should be confident about hijacking Tottenham’s pursuit of Sandro Tonali having pulled off a similar feat to sign Eberechi Eze last summer.

That’s according to former Premier League striker Jay Bothroyd, who labelled the Newcastle United midfielder ‘one of the best in the world’ and an automatic starter in Mikel Arteta’s side.

Tonali has been a vital cog in Eddie Howe’s midfield in recent seasons, but appears poised to leave the club this summer after Newcastle failed to qualify for the Champions League.

And despite finishing 17th in the Premier League last season, it is Tottenham who are currently leading the charge to sign the Italian as they look to complete an audacious deal to bolster Roberto De Zerbi’s midfield.

Spurs have already seen an opening offer of £75million dismissed by Newcastle, but are said to be confident that they can strike a deal for £85m.

However, additional reports suggest that Tonali would favour a move to Tottenham’s arch-rivals Arsenal, who have been repeatedly linked with the Italian midfielder.

And while Arsenal appear to currently be prioritising a move for Aston Villa star Morgan Rogers, Bothroyd wouldn’t be surprised to see the Gunners swoop in at the last minute to prise another marquee signing out of Spurs’ hands.

‘I did say the other day, if Arsenal come in, exactly the same situation that happened with Eze is going to happen again with Tonali,’ the former Premier League striker told Sky Sports.

‘I think Tonali is one of the best midfielders in the world. I heard Paul Scholes talk about him and he was talking about how he’s got a lot more in his locker than Declan Rice.

‘Declan Rice is one of the best in the world, but I believe Paul Scholes – Tonali is also one of the best in the world.

‘I love watching him play, very industrious, makes tackles, box to box, scores goals, leads by example. He’s got everything you would want in your midfielder.

‘He’s just 26 years old as well. He would definitely go straight into Arsenal’s starting lineup, and obviously make it better. So I can understand why Arsenal want him to go in there. They need to retain the title.’

Bothroyd was similarly enthused about Arsenal’s interest in England star Rogers, and said the 23-year-old would not struggle for regular starts in a red shirt.

Asked where Rogers would fit in Arteta’s side, Bothroyd said: ‘That’s pretty much easy. Trossard, Martinelli, Odegaard [could all drop out].

‘That’s an easy fix, really. He’s going to walk straight into that team as well. And Tonali will.

‘And that’s what it’s going to take. If Arsenal are going to retain the trophy and dominate English football, they need to keep making signings like this.

‘But the reason why I like Rogers as well is because he brings versatility to that forward line. If Saka is injured, he could potentially play on the right if Madueke’s not fit. He can play as a number 10. He could play on the left.

‘He could even play in a more reserved role in a three in midfield in Odegaard’s position. Or if Zubimendi’s unfit, Declan Rice drops back, and he can go in that position as well.

‘So I think that would be a great signing and he’s still so young.’

Elsewhere, Arsenal are keen to sign another striker and still hold out hope of signing Julian Alvarez after he declared his desire to leave Atletico Madrid.

The club are also looking to add depth on the winger, with a deal for Leicester City youngster Jeremy Monga close to being agreed.

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