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Man City would need to match Newcastle’s £100m asking price for Sandro Tonali if they decide to pursue the Italian international, according to reports.
Tottenham are the team likeliest to table a formal offer, but The Telegraph claim that City and Arsenal were the player’s preferred destinations heading into the summer transfer window.
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Elliot Anderson remains the Manchester club’s priority, and with Tonali’s valuation being so high, most fans on X believe there is no point in switching targets to the Newcastle star:
Can’t believe I’m saying this but do what United have done
Ridiculous price for him
— BradMCFC (@Bradmcfc500) June 16, 2026
Anderson and Oreily should be our double pivot with Foden holding the n8 role
— Baby Lokel (@baby_lokel) June 16, 2026
what are these prices ffs!
— 𝚇𝚒_𝚜𝚣𝚗 (@goodnessonX) June 16, 2026
We are not interested. He can go to Arsenal
— Brian (@CherkiMagic10) June 16, 2026
Tonali isn’t the right person we need right now, we need Anderson
— City News 24/7 2026 (@CityNews24q1g) June 16, 2026
Man City may have to break their transfer record
No matter whether they continue their pursuit of Anderson or turn their attention to Tonali, it seems as if the transfer record, which was set when £100m was paid for Jack Grealish in 2021, will be broken.
There is always a chance that Director of Football Hugo Viana will decide to go for a cheaper alternative, with a move for Lille’s Ayyoub Bouaddi having been mentioned as a possibility in recent days.
However, it seems as if recruiting Anderson is very much top of the agenda still, with another offer in the works.
How will paying £100m+ for Anderson affect other business?
Every team has to abide by the Premier League’s squad cost ratio rules, while all the clubs participating in European competitions also have to follow UEFA’s Financial Fair Play regulations.
City have spent a lot of money since the beginning of 2025, but it should be pointed out that the club had also raised plenty from player sales before this recent spending spree.
Splashing out on Anderson may still limit what City can do in terms of strengthening other positions. A new right-back and a winger are also said to be priorities for Viana and prospective new head coach Enzo Maresca.
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