Nacho Monreal Warns Arsenal on Sandro Tonali Move

Nacho Monreal has thrown a sharp dose of realism into the latest swirl of Arsenal transfer talk, warning his former club that a move for Sandro Tonali could come at a heavy cost.

The ex-Arsenal left-back, speaking about the Newcastle United midfielder’s future, praised Tonali in glowing terms but questioned how Mikel Arteta could possibly fit him into a squad that already boasts Martín Zubimendi and Declan Rice at the base of midfield.

“If Arsenal buys Tonali, they will get the best midfielder in the world,” Monreal told Rekatochklart, leaving no doubt about how highly he rates the Italian.

Then came the caveat.

Arsenal, he pointed out, only recently invested heavily in Zubimendi, a player Monreal clearly feels has already transformed their midfield structure. With Rice an undisputed pillar of Arteta’s side, the Spaniard cannot see a world where all three coexist without serious consequences for the balance of the squad and the club’s finances.

“But they signed Zubimendi for a lot of money last year, so it’s difficult,” he said. “To have both Tonali, Zubimendi, and Rice would be a lot, so I can only imagine that they would have to sell either Zubimendi or Declan Rice if they really want Tonali.”

That is the crux of his warning: Tonali might be a luxury too far.

Monreal did not hide his admiration for Arsenal’s current midfield core. In his eyes, they already possess the benchmark in that position.

“In my opinion, they already have the two best defensive midfielders in the world,” he added, underlining just how highly he regards both Zubimendi and Rice.

So the message from a former dressing-room voice is clear. If Arsenal truly push for Tonali, it will not just be another marquee signing. It could mean ripping up a midfield that, in Monreal’s view, is already as good as anything in the game.