Manchester United are reportedly strongly considering a summer swoop for Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali.
United eyeing midfield reinforcements
Having spent the bulk of their summer transfer budget on bolstering their attacking department after a goal-shy 2024/25 campaign, United are now expected to shift their focus to make signings in midfield
Casemiro’s announcement last month that he will leave when his contract expires has only heightened the urgency for United to find a new midfielder. There have been suggestions that the Red Devils could potentially sign more than one midfielder.
Some of the players that continue to be linked to United include Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace), Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest) and Carlos Baleba (Brighton and Hove Albion).
United attempted to lure Baleba to Old Trafford last summer and it’s believed the Cameroonian was keen on the transfer. However, a deal failed to get over the line due to Brighton’s prohibitive asking price.
Now, The Telegraph report that Tonali is also of interest to United as the club’s midfield plans start to take shape.
Tonali update
According to the news outlet, “Manchester United have put Sandro Tonali high on their shortlist ahead of the summer midfield rebuild at Old Trafford.”
“The Italy midfielder, 25, is expected to be at the heart of another transfer saga at Newcastle United after his agent revealed last week that his client is considering his future.”
“United have confirmed that Casemiro will leave them in the summer at the end of his contract, leaving a hole in their midfield. Tonali is now firmly on their radar after his three seasons in the Premier League as they look at long-term options.”
Mike McGrath notes that Juventus want to bring Tonali back to Serie A. In addition to United, Arsenal and Manchester City are also keeping tabs on the Newcastle man’s situation.
Newcastle are said to be in line to make a significant profit on the £55m they paid AC Milan for Tonali in 2023.
Considering players like Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo and Declan Rice all moved for more than £100m each, Newcastle are likely to demand a sum close to this for Tonali. It remains to be seen whether United would meet such a valuation.
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