Sporting director Andrea Berta has renewed contact with Tonali's agent Giuseppe Riso following the end of the season, according to TuttoMercato, as the Gunners look to add depth to a midfield that has been stretched by injury throughout the campaign.
Tonali, 26, has been on Arsenal's radar since the January window, when reports suggested his representatives had made Berta aware of the possibility of a move. The Italian missed Champions League football with Newcastle United — who finished 12th this season under head coach Eddie Howe — and has previously spoken of his desire to remain at the highest level of European competition.
His agent Riso addressed the situation openly in February.
"Newcastle are having a hard time letting go of Sandro, and he wants to lead the club to the Champions League," Riso told Tuttosport. "We'll evaluate and decide what to do in the summer."
Arsenal's interest is being driven in part by the midfield problems that defined the second half of their title-winning campaign. Spain international Mikel Merino missed a significant portion of the season with a fractured foot, placing additional burden on Declan Rice. Teenager Myles Lewis-Skelly was drafted into central midfield in recent weeks, while doubts have emerged over the consistency of Martin Zubimendi and Christian Norgaard in key matches.
Tonali contributed three goals and seven assists in 53 appearances across all competitions for Newcastle this season. He has 30 senior caps for Italy and joined the Magpies from AC Milan for around £55 million in 2023, serving a 10-month ban for breaching betting regulations before re-establishing himself as one of the division's most complete central midfielders.
Securing him will not be straightforward.
Newcastle are not willing sellers and have reportedly set an asking price in the region of £80 million to £100 million. The club's leverage is strengthened by the fact that Tonali remains under contract until June 2028.
Manchester United, Manchester City and Juventus have all been linked with the player, and sources close to Tonali suggest he may favour a return to Italy. Juventus, Inter Milan and AC Milan have all registered interest in bringing him back to Serie A.
Arsenal won the Premier League title for the first time in 22 years last weekend and are already planning how to reinforce for a defence of that title. Berta, appointed sporting director in the summer of 2025, has prioritised midfield reinforcement as a central part of that project.