Eddie Howe has issued a defiant message and warned Arsenal they have no intention of losing their talismanic midfielder Sandro Tonali.
The Italy international was reported to be the subject of interest from the Gunners who were scouring the market for an option to offer cover for the injured Mikel Merino.
Newcastle moved swiftly to reject any notion of the former AC Milan star joining the Premier League leaders and Howe echoed that sentiment in his press conference ahead of tomorrow night’s Carabao Cup semi-final second leg against Manchester City.
He said: ‘There was no intention for our side to lose Sandro at all. He’s such an integral part of what we’re doing. He’s very happy here, he loves playing for Newcastle and loves representing the city.’
Asked if he feared Monday’s rumours were the start of campaign to unsettle the player in the same way Alexander Isak was over the summer before his acrimonious move to Liverpool, Howe added: ”I don’t think so.
‘But lots of things happen without my knowledge. As far as I’m aware we’ve got a player that’s an outstanding footballer and an outstanding person. He’s very happy here and he’s got a great relationship with me, his teammates.
‘Our best players are always going to be attracting glances from other clubs, that’s just the reality of football. We want to keep the group together and keep being progressive.
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‘Sandro plays a part in that trying to hit his best levels and trying to help the team. I don’t see an issue but I’m not in control of everything.’
Newcastle will be looking to overturn a two-goal deficit this evening in order to make it through to a third successive League Cup final and Howe insists Tonali is in the right frame of mind to feature.
He said: ‘He’s absolutely fine I had discussions with Sandro yesterday, he’s absolutely focused on the here, the now, playing for us.
‘His only focus talking to him was on Manchester City and trying to win that game so there’s no issue with Sandro himself. He’s happy and committed.
‘I find it difficult to talk about things I don’t know about. I can only talk about Sandro the person and the player and his mindset here and now and he’s absolutely fine.’
Pressed as to whether his side are capable of booking another trip to Wembley at the expense of a City side licking their wounds following last Sunday’s draw at Tottenham, he added: ‘We very much have to have that belief.
‘The second goal in the first game was obviously a big disappointment for us, coming so late, but we still believe and we have to believe.
‘I believe we have got the players that can go to any stadium in the world and perform and score goals. I think collectively the spirit within the group is there.
‘It’s going to be an almighty challenge – there is no bigger challenge than Manchester City away. I think we say that every time we play them but we believe in ourselves and are going to give it a good go.’
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