“Arsenal looks at Sandro Tonali to strengthen the team after the title.”

Arsenal has just won the Premier League after a 22-year wait, but Mikel Arteta is already thinking about the future and how to keep the Gunners at the top of English football. The Spanish manager does not want to just celebrate the title; he wants to strengthen the team to ensure that rivals do not gain ground. The target is set: Sandro Tonali, midfielder of Newcastle United, has emerged as the top priority for the summer transfer market.

Arsenal’s title was confirmed when Manchester City drew 1-1 with Bournemouth, leaving the Gunners unreachable, even with one match still to play. This historic achievement, the first since the legendary Invincibles season in 2003/04, has completely transformed the ambition and status of the London club, which is now the benchmark to beat.

But what makes this potential signing so interesting? Tonali is not merely a reinforcement to fill gaps in midfield. On the contrary, Arteta wants to make one of the team’s strongest positions even more robust. With Declan Rice in great form, Martin Zubimendi providing stability, Mikel Merino adding experience, and the young Myles Lewis-Skelly emerging, the Italian would bring a new dimension to the midfield: intensity, aggression, pace, and exceptional tactical intelligence.

Sources in Italy indicate that Arsenal is among the clubs interested in Tonali, but Newcastle is preparing to ask for a hefty sum for their jewel. It is estimated that the price could range between 80 and 100 million euros, depending on the interest shown by other clubs. From the Magpies’ perspective, the departure of the midfielder would be a considered decision, as Tonali is not a disposable player; on the contrary, he is one of the biggest prospects in Eddie Howe’s squad.

It is now questioned whether Newcastle will be willing to part with their talent, something that would only happen if financial conditions allowed for a substantial rebuild. For Arsenal, however, this is exactly the type of investment a champion makes: ensuring quality and depth to defend the title.

The reality is that winning the Premier League is just the first step; maintaining it is an even greater challenge. With Manchester City preparing for changes following the likely departure of Pep Guardiola, Chelsea betting on Xabi Alonso, and Liverpool determined not to repeat a poor season, Arsenal needs to act quickly and decisively. Buying Tonali is not a sign of weakness, but rather of a team that looks to the future with ambition and caution.

Mikel Arteta is building not only a winning team but also a legacy that he does not want to end with this conquest. The summer transfer market promises to be lively, and the battle for midfield talent is just beginning. Arsenal is not willing to leave the throne without a fight, and Sandro Tonali could be the missing piece to ensure that the Gunners continue to dominate English football.

This article first appeared on Apito Final.