Manchester United have been linked with a move for Sandro Tonali and the Newcastle United midfielder dropped his best performance of the season after the rumours emerged.
Ineos will spend the 2026 summer transfer window strengthening Manchester United’s midfield department and links to Sandro Tonali have begun circulating months before the window opens.
The Italian midfielder is just one of several Premier League targets on United’s radar, including Elliot Anderson, Adam Wharton and Carlos Baleba.
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But Tonali is expected to cost £100 million, which would take a huge bite out of the summer budget and also break United’s transfer record.
Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali celebrates scoring against Aston Villa in the FA Cup.
Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images
Sandro Tonali drops Newcastle masterclass after Man United links
Just days after news broke of United’s interest in Tonali, the Italy international was in action for Newcastle in the FA Cup fourth round against Aston Villa.
When Newcastle fell behind to an early Tammy Abraham goal, it was Tonali who dragged his side back to a leading position by scoring twice in the second half.
Tonali scored from his only two shots at Villa Park, with both coming from outside the box. As per SofaScore, he was the highest-rated player on the pitch with a 9/10 performance.
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He took 70 touches of the ball, completed 18 carries and completed 48 accurate passes for the visitors.
Defensively, Tonali proved why he is a fitting replacement for Casemiro by winning 100% of his tackles and duels and making three defensive contributions.
Villa’s midfield duo of Amadou Onana and Douglas Luiz could not get close to the Italian all night, and it is that kind of performance which will catch the eye of recruitment staff at Old Trafford.
Sandro Tonali succeeds where Carlos Baleba fails
Last summer, it was Brighton’s Carlos Baleba who was at the top of United’s midfield shopping list.
But ever since stories of United’s interest broke, Baleba struggled to deal with the pressure.
Manager Fabian Hurzeler admitted Baleba was impacted by the transfer rumours, and that should be a red flag to Ineos about his ability to play under pressure.
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In complete contrast, Tonali’s best performance of the season came directly after links to United emerged.
The former AC Milan midfielder has played on Europe’s biggest stages and he is reportedly keen to play for a Champions League side. A move to Old Trafford in the summer makes more and more sense.
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