Arsenal: £46.5m star could become ‘top-class player’ at Emirates | OneFootball

Arsenal target Sandro Tonali has the potential to become a ‘top-class player in the future’, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.

The talented 22-year-old has been linked with a surprise move away from AC Milan in recent days with the Emirates Stadium touted as a possible destination.

Italian journalist Enrico Camelio spoke to CalcioMercato on TvPlay, providing an intriguing update on Tonali’s future following an outstanding couple of campaigns at San Siro.

“Milan and Arsenal met and talked about Tonali,” said Camelio, then going into the details of the possible negotiation.

“The Rossoneri have declared that the midfielder is not transferable, but if a proposal for €55 million (£46.5m) arrives, Milan could sell him and make two purchases”

Franck Kessie’s departure to Barcelona on a free transfer has left the reigning Serie A champions light in midfield, but it seems they could be tempted to offload Tonali if a suitable offer is made.

The Italy international still has four years remaining on his current contract with Milan, though, meaning any deal could be difficult to conclude.

What has O’Rourke said about Tonali?

O’Rourke believes that Tonali is a ‘quality player’ although has concerns over whether he would be suited to the pace of the Premier League.

In an interview with GiveMeSport, he said: “Tonali’s a very talented midfielder, very highly-rated in Italy. I think he’s got real potential to be a top-class player in the future.

“Maybe the concern would be about the pace of the football, would it suit Tonali in the Premier League? But there’s no doubt he’s a quality player.”

Would Tonali be a good signing?

Arsenal currently have the likes of Granit Xhaka, Thomas Partey, Mohamed Elneny and Albert Sambi Lokonga to call upon in the middle of the park.

Mikel Arteta lined up with Xhaka and Partey on the opening day of the season as the Gunners saw off Crystal Palace 2-0, yet the addition of Tonali could enhance their engine room options even further.

The youngster has been likened to Andrea Pirlo, Gennaro Gattuso and Daniele De Rossi already in his short career, and had his say on those comparisons after his senior international debut.

“Maybe a mix of all of them would be perfect,” Tonali told Rai Sport. “I guess there are similarities with Pirlo in a way, but I also add a lot of a grit in there, so maybe more Gattuso.”

Tonali is renowned for his ability to play defence-splitting passes from deep while also being adept at cutting out opposition attacks, a skillset that Arsenal would surely warmly welcome.