Mikel Arteta wants Arsenal to sign £86m Italian star

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has personally urged the Gunners hierarchy to sign Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali this summer, according to Tuttomercatoweb.

The Gunners were offered the Italian's services by his agent during the last transfer window, but the club did not make any form of contact with the Magpies before the deadline.

However, they are expected to revisit their interest at the end of the campaign and it is claimed that they could lodge a big-money move once the Champions League final ends.

Tonali can operate as a holding or central midfielder, and has caught the eye with his tireless work rate and high pressing from the centre of the park for the Magpies in recent years.

He has his sights on playing Champions League football next term which could pave the way for a big-money move. The Magpies are set to demand at least 86 million pounds for the Italian, who is at the top of Arteta's wishlist for the next transfer window.