Pep Guardiola spotted in deep conversation with Sandro Tonali – and Newcastle fans fear the worst

Pep Guardiola has detailed his post-match conversation with Sandro Tonali amid recent transfer links.

Manchester City booked their spot in the Carabao Cup final with a 5-1 aggregate win against Newcastle United on Wednesday night.

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After the full-time whistle, City boss Guardiola was spotted speaking to Tonali on the Etihad Stadium pitch.

The Newcastle midfielder was the subject of reports on deadline day regarding a shock move to Arsenal.

CEO David Hopkinson was asked by talkSPORT if the midfielder’s agent had offered him to the Gunners, and replied: “I have no idea.”

Tonali’s conversation with Guardiola therefore sparked intrigue, but it turns out they have a close relationship off the pitch.

“What I said?” Guardiola responded when asked about their chat. “My Italian is perfect, so that’s why I can communicate with him.

“We have an incredible friend in common from Brescia, Edoardo Piovani. Every time, we are connected through him.

“I know his father a long time ago. All the time we met, he talked about his experience in Milan, the supporters and how happy he is in Newcastle.

“He’s a really, really top player, top, top player.”

It also had Newcastle fans fearing the worst amid those shock links away.

One fan wrote on X: “Honestly don’t care if any player doesn’t want to play for Toon then go , what is disrespectful as a player is currying favour in some sycophantic way on the pitch with the opponents manager.”

Another said: “Spotted this also which I thought was disrespectful to the club, pep is probably telling Tonali which team he’s going to manage next, an Italian club and asking Tonali if he’d be interested….wild thought but it wouldn’t surprise me.”

A third wrote: “So he’s gone then.”

Magpies CEO David Hopkinson also now responded to the transfer speculation surrounding the 25-year-old.

Having joined Jim White and Alex Crook live on talkSPORT from St. James’ Park on Wednesday morning, he was asked whether Tonali’s agent had offered him to Arsenal.

In response, Hopkinson explained: “I have no idea. That’s our answer.

“Eddie got it right, he doesn’t know, I don’t know. Here’s what I do know, he’s a superstar player, he’s under contract here.

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“He’s not the only player we had that other clubs would covet, so I think if we get a situation where people aren’t trying to muck about and sew some chaos into the marketplace in order to dislodge our players then we’ve got a real problem.

“Sandro has been a wonderful player, a smile’s on every day I see him, I believe he’s happy here and we’re certainly happy with him.”

City prepare for latest cup final

A 2-0 victory in the first leg of their semi-final against Newcastle put City in control of the tie before the return fixture.

They effectively booked their tickets to Wembley by half-time with an Omar Marmoush double and goal from Tijjani Reijnders.

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Anthony Elanga sparked hope of a Newcastle comeback during the second half, but it was City who ran out as winners.

Arsenal will be their opponents in the Carabao Cup final on March 22 after they beat Chelsea.

City can win their fifth League Cup under Guardiola with victory next month, but they will be without a key man at the back.

January signing Marc Guehi is cup tied for the final because he played three matches in the competition for Crystal Palace before his move.

Guehi had to join City before the end of the January window or first leg of the semi-final, whichever was sooner, to be eligible.

Guardiola said the rule is ‘difficult to understand’ and hopes they can ‘convince the Carabao Cup’ to let the centre-back play.