Manchester City v Newcastle United - Carabao Cup Semi Final Second Leg
Sandro Tonali is likely to spark a summer transfer tug of war (Picture: Getty)
Manchester United have added Sandro Tonali to their list of targets ahead of the summer transfer window.
The Newcastle United midfielder’s was the surprise subject of intense speculation on deadline day when it emerged that Arsenal had expressed an interest in the Italy international.
Mikel Arteta had been scouring the market for cover as a result of Mikel Merino’s long-term injury but the current Premier League leaders were immediately informed Tonali, valued at around £100m, was not for sale.
Regardless of Merino’s long-term future, Arsenal look certain to test Newcastle’s resolve come the summer, but they are far from the only interested party.
Chelsea, too, have been credited with an interest while Pep Guardiola sparked the suggestion he, too, was a fan of Tonali after he made a beeline for the 25-year-old after Wednesday’s Carabao Cup semi-final second leg.
United, meanwhile, will be looking to bolster their engine room,never mind whether it is Michael Carrick in charge or not, in light of Casemiro’s decision to call time on his Old Trafford career.
The likes of Adam Wharton, Carlos Baleba and Elliot Anderson have already been earmarked by United’s transfer chiefs but the potential availability of Tonali, according to The Telegraph, could alter the picture and priority order.
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Juventus are also keen to bring the former AC Milan captain back to Serie A, but his wage demands would leave his Premier League suitors in pole position.
Paul Scholes on Arsenal and Chelsea target Sandro Tonali
Asked who he rates as the best midfielder in the Premier League, Scholes said on Sky Bet’s The Overlap back in October: ‘Right now? That’s tough.
‘I still don’t class Moises Caicedo as an all-round midfield player. I know he scored a great goal and was brilliant the other day.
‘I got some stick last year after having a go at him and I almost thought about taking that back because he was brilliant in the Club World Cup.
‘I just prefer the controlling type of midfield players who play with a bit more style and can score goals a bit more often than Caicedo.
‘It was a brilliant goal against Liverpool but you wouldn’t be surprised if he didn’t do that again for another 18 months would you?
‘He’s one of the best at what he does which is breaking up the play, he’s brilliant at that. But I prefer the other types.
‘Alexis Mac Allister was absolutely brilliant last season, he controlled a lot of games and I think Liverpool are missing that at the moment.
‘I love Sandro Tonali as well. He’s been brilliant. Very good. I would probably choose Tonali at this point.’
Pressed if he was naming Tonali as the best midfielder in the league, Manchester United legend Scholes added: ‘Yes, you’re going to say Declan Rice but I think he’s better than Rice.
‘I really like Rice, don’t get me wrong, I think he’s got everything. Sometimes he takes a few too many touches of the ball and tries to look a bit more stylish than necessary.
‘He can do everything but I just don’t think he does it enough. I prefer Tonali but they’re both good players.’
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe, meanwhile, does not fear a repeat of the Alexander Isak transfer saga after holding deadline-day talks with Sandro Tonali.
Magpies head coach Howe spoke to Tonali Monday amid reports that the midfielder had been ‘offered’ to Arsenal as the winter window drew to a close.
Newcastle insisted privately that there had been no contact with the Gunners and, having spent last summer trying to keep Isak before reluctantly accepting a £130m offer from Liverpool, they do not want to countenance a repeat over Tonali.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 07: Casemiro of Manchester United applauds the fans as he celebrates victory during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford on February 07, 2026 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Casemiro will leave Manchester United in the summer (Picture: Getty)
Asked if he was concerned that Monday was the start of a campaign to unsettle Tonali, who is contracted until 2029 with the option of a further 12 months, Howe said: ‘I don’t think so, but lots of things happen without my knowledge.
‘As far as I’m aware, we’ve got a player that’s an outstanding footballer, an outstanding person. He’s very happy here, he’s got a great relationship with me, his team-mates, he seems really, really happy within himself, so that would surprise me.
‘But our best players will always be attracting glances from other clubs, that’s just the reality of football. We want to keep the group together, we want to keep being progressive and of course Sandro plays a part in that, trying to hit his best levels and play as well as he can to help the team.
‘All-encompassed, I don’t see an issue, but as I say, I’m not in control of everything.’
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The uncertainty over Tonali**,** who was supported by the club after he incurred a 10-month ban for betting offences just five months after his £55m arrival from AC Milan in July 2023, prompted Howe to seek out the player for clarification.
Speaking ahead of the midweek trip to City, Howe said: ‘Sandro’s absolutely fine. I had discussions with Sandro yesterday.
‘He’s absolutely focused on the here, the now, playing for us. His only focus, talking to him yesterday, was Manchester City and trying to win that game, so there’s absolutely no issue with Sandro himself and he’s very happy and he’s committed.
‘I find it difficult to talk about things that I don’t know too much about. I can only talk about Sandro as the person and the player and his mindset here and now, having discussed things with him yesterday, and he’s absolutely fine.’
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