Arsenal blow as £22m star’s brother suggests he won’t be joining Gunners

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Arsenal are reportedly interested in Antonio Sanabria but the Torino striker’s brother is playing down rumours of a move from Serie A to the Premier League. 

With 12 goals and three assists in 26 starts, the Paraguay international is enjoying the finest season of his entire career over in Italy.  

Toni Sanabria, once of Barcelona and Real Betis, is belatedly fulfilling his long-untapped potential at the age of 27, rediscovering the form that once saw him hit a La Liga hat-trick while still a teenager in the red-and-white stripes of Sporting Gijon. 

According to La Republicca, Torino face a challenge holding onto Sanabria beyond the summer. Napoli, AC Milan and Arsenal are reportedly interested. 

But with Sanabria’s brother playing down suggestions that he could be on his way in conversation with Tuttosport, Granata supporters can sleep a little easier tonight. 

Are Arsenal really keen on Torino striker Antonio Sanabria?

“In January, there were clubs that came forward for him. But preferred to stay because he didn’t want to leave after a goal drought. It would have been a defeat (for him),” Joel Sanabria explains.

“He wanted to demonstrate that he could be decisive, because he’s doing very well in Turin. Now, he’s repaying everyone’s trust.

“He still has two years on his contract and wants to stay with the Granata. There are no reasons to imagine him (moving away) from Turin.”

Whether or not there is any truth of reports linking the £22 million-rated Sanabria with a move to the Emirates Stadium, there does appear to be room at Arsenal for a more ‘traditional’ number nine. Between them, Mikel Arteta’s two centre-forwards – Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah – have scored just 14 Premier League goals this term.

Fewer than Martin Odegaard has on his own (15). 

How many more points would the Gunners have picked up during a dismal, season-defining run of two wins in eight games, if they had another, more reliable goalscorer at their disposal? 

“I think (Arsenal) will get better. I think also they will buy better,” Simon Jordan tells talkSPORT (19 April, 12.50pm). 

“They’ve got the ear and the eyes of the Kroenke family. (Arsenal’s owners) are more invested than they have ever been before. And, with all due respect, you will have better players than Eddie Nketiah because they will buy bigger.”