Arsenal: £46m signing would be 'huge surprise' at the Emirates

Arsenal have been linked with a move for AC Milan midfielder Sandro Tonali but it would be a huge surprise if they were able to sign him, according to transfer insider Dean Jones.

Mikel Arteta has overseen a busy summer at the Emirates but still has time to add to his squad ahead of the September 1 deadline.

The Gunners have completed the signings of five new players this summer, including Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko, as Arteta adds depth to his ranks ahead of the return of European football.

But they are not finished yet with a midfielder still on the Spaniard’s wish list and, with a deal for Leicester City’s Youri Tielemans on the rocks, alternatives are being sounded out.

Tielemans has been a long-term target for the north Londoners but they are unwilling to meet the Foxes’ demands this summer with the Belgium international entering the final year of his deal at the King Power Stadium.

Arsenal have made an enquiry as to the availability of Tonali, according to reports in Italy. They say that Milan do not want to sell this summer but that a bid of £46.4m could be enough for the sale to go through, despite the 22-year-old having four years remaining on his contract.

Jones says that, after Milan saw Franck Kessie depart for Barcelona this summer, the reigning Serie A champions will be even more determined to hang onto Tonali.

The transfer insider would be shocked if Arsenal were able to pull off a deal for the player before the deadline.

Jones told GIVEMESPORT: “Now Frank Kessie has gone from AC Milan and Tonali looks like he’ll have an even more important role in the coming season. So I’ll be very, very surprised if Arsenal manage to get Tonali out of Milan.”

Arsenal are in need of reinforcements in midfield