Pep Guardiola is the greatest manager in the world – even Arsenal fans will agree with that.
The Spaniard won it all at Barcelona and has done the same at Premier League giants Manchester City. He was outstanding at Bayern Munich during his time there as well.
Guardiola’s tactics are what make him the best, but his eye for talent deserves plaudits as well.
Now, he has heaped praise on an Arsenal target – Sandro Tonali.
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Pep Guardiola says Arsenal target Sandro Tonali is a ‘top player’
Tonali emerged as a surprise target for Arsenal on transfer deadline day.
The Gunners were in need of a new midfielder after Mikel Merino’s injury, which is set to keep him out of action for several months.
David Ornstein claimed that Tonali’s agents offered him to Arsenal, and although nothing materialised then, a move in the summer is possible.
Reports have further claimed that Mikel Arteta would love to pair Tonali with Declan Rice in the middle of his park, which would be an incredible partnership.
Now, the Arsenal manager’s mentor, Pep Guardiola, has heaped praise on the ‘very strong‘ Newcastle United star.
After Manchester City beat the Magpies in the Carabao Cup semi-final, Guardiola was seen having a lengthy conversation with Tonali.
When asked what that was all about, he said after the game, as per Craig Hope on X: “My Italian is perfect, so that’s why I can communicate with him.
“We have a friend in common in Brescia. Every time we are connected, all three, through him. I know his father since a long time.
“All the time we’ve met, we talk about AC Milan, the supporters and how happy he is here in Newcastle. He’s a really top, top player. A top player.”
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It’s not just Arsenal who are interested in signing Tonali; Manchester City are too.
The Sun have revealed that the two title rivals, along with Chelsea, are all eyeing a blockbuster £100 million move for the Italian in the summer.
Arsenal are an attractive club to join, but Tonali could prefer a move to the Etihad because he is guaranteed to start there.
At Arsenal, both Rice and Martin Zubimendi could be ahead of him in the pecking order.
That gives Guardiola an edge in the race, and the fact that he has known Tonali for a long time could make City the favourites to get him.
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