Manchester City’s sporting director Hugo Viana is preparing the most ambitious set of midfield additions the club has attempted in years, with Sandro Tonali and Elliot Anderson identified as the twin pillars of a complete overhaul of the engine room.
The combined cost of the two is expected to approach £190 million, with Tonali valued at £100 million by Newcastle and Anderson rated at around £90 million by Nottingham Forest.
Rodri’s future at the Etihad is increasingly uncertain, with Real Madrid’s long-standing interest in the Ballon d’Or winner intensifying, while Bernardo Silva is also expected to move on this summer after talks over a new deal stalled.
City are not planning to simply write cheques for both targets. According to TEAMtalk, Viana is prepared to offer Newcastle a selection of players as part of a part-exchange arrangement for Tonali — with goalkeeper James Trafford, full-backs Rico Lewis and Issa Kabore, and centre-back Juma Bah all identified as potential sweeteners.
Newcastle value Trafford highly after coming close to signing him from City last summer, only to lose out when City exercised a buyback option. His inclusion in any offer could be genuinely attractive to Eddie Howe as he seeks a new first-choice goalkeeper.
Manchester United are furious at the developments. United had identified Tonali as a priority midfield target for the summer, with INEOS understood to be “seriously working” on a deal, and Anderson was also on their radar before City effectively outmanoeuvred them in that chase.
Tonali’s representatives have been quietly cultivating interest from multiple clubs. Arsenal, Chelsea and United have all been sounded out. But City’s financial structure and the player-exchange element make them a genuinely compelling option for Newcastle to consider.
The Italian International, 25, has not pushed publicly for an exit. But a gentleman’s agreement reportedly exists allowing him to leave if Newcastle fail to secure Champions League football this season — a scenario that is becoming increasingly likely.