Arsenal are not merely window-shopping at St James’ Park this summer — they are circling four of Newcastle United’s most valuable assets with a ruthlessly ambitious £325 million blueprint that could leave Eddie Howe’s side stripped of its spine while the Magpies are still reeling from European humiliation.
Newcastle were dumped out of the Champions League by Barcelona on Wednesday night, losing 7-2 at the Camp Nou and 8-3 on aggregate. Eddie Howe’s side performed well in the first half of the second leg, getting themselves back level twice, but they were blown away in the second half. The defeat has left the Toon at serious risk of missing out on European qualification for next season: they currently sit ninth in the Premier League, three points behind seventh-placed Brentford. With Champions League football now almost certainly off the table, at least one elite star could push for a move this summer — and Arsenal are perfectly positioned to pounce.
It emerged on Sunday that both Arsenal and Liverpool are tracking Lewis Hall’s situation, having been hugely impressed by his displays this season. Subsequent reports in the Spanish press have claimed Arsenal are actively planning a move for the left-back, who is valued at £65-70m.
We revealed on February 27 that the Gunners are drawing up a £75m bid for Anthony Gordon, seeing him as an elite replacement for Gabriel Martinelli at left wing. However, Newcastle are eager to keep the forward as he is a key player. It will take an offer worth £95m or more to convince them to sell the England ace.
Arsenal have also identified Sandro Tonali as a potential signing to elevate their midfield. They held initial talks with Tonali’s agents in January, with the Italian weighing up a potential move away from St James’ Park. Tonali would love to secure a move back to Serie A, but such clubs would not have the necessary funds to complete a deal. Newcastle value the playmaker in the region of £86-100m. Arsenal will face competition from Manchester United for Tonali; the Red Devils have registered their interest in the 25-year-old, and it was suggested earlier on Wednesday that he is ‘quite open’ to a move to Old Trafford.
Right-back Tino Livramento is the fourth and final Newcastle star being eyed by Arsenal. The Times confirmed earlier this week that Arsenal are monitoring both Livramento and RB Leipzig centre-back Castello Lukeba ahead of potential moves this summer. Arsenal would love to replace frustrated full-back Ben White with Livramento, as it would give them even better competition for Jurrien Timber.
The numbers tell their own story. Hall at £65-70m, Gordon at £95m+, Tonali at £86-100m, and Livramento commanding a premium price of his own — the cumulative outlay to land all four would comfortably eclipse £325m. That is not fantasy; it is the scale of Arsenal’s calculated aggression while Newcastle are vulnerable.
Yet for all the excitement around a quadruple raid, realism must prevail. Despite Arsenal’s interest in all four players, they will likely only be able to sign one this summer. Financial regulations, squad harmony and the sheer volume of elite targets mean Mikel Arteta’s side must choose their moment and their man with surgical precision.
Newcastle’s Champions League exit has opened a rare window of opportunity. Arsenal’s scouts have done their homework, their board has prepared the bids, and their manager has identified exactly where these four Toon stars would fit like missing pieces in a title-chasing jigsaw. The question is no longer whether Arsenal want them — it is which one they will ultimately take while the Magpies are down.