Eddie Howe has addressed Sandro Tonali's future(Image: Serena Taylor, Newcastle United via Getty Images)

Eddie Howe has addressed Sandro Tonali's rumoured links to Arsenal on deadline day.

The Gunners were anticipated to explore the market for an eleventh-hour swoop as a replacement for the injured Mikel Merino, considering the Spaniard will undergo surgery on his foot and is expected to remain out of action until nearer the end of the season.

While Mikel Arteta and Andrea Berta were eventually unsuccessful in securing anyone regarding cover, several names were associated with a switch to the Emirates Stadium on Monday.

One name that grabbed the attention of football supporters early on was that of Newcastle United dynamo Tonali. The Magpies midfielder has excelled at St James' Park, racking up 92 appearances under Howe across all competitions.

Consequently, numerous clubs are believed to be long-standing admirers of the 25-year-old, with Arsenal thought to be weighing up Tonali as the January window reached its conclusion. However, any schemes were swiftly dismissed, as Newcastle labelled the reports as 'rubbish'.

Tonali's representative, Giuseppe Riso, also denied claims that Tonali was proposed to Arsenal. He maintained: "We...