Manchester United’s interest in Sandro Tonali is clear.
Whether they are prepared to pay a British record fee and attempt to broker a deal with Newcastle United who want to hold on to their best players this summer is not. Not yet, anyway.
The Red Devils want to overhaul their midfield and there is a strong chance, with Casemiro leaving at the end of the season, that two new midfielders could be brought in to elevate the quality levels in a long-neglected area of the squad.
Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson has long been United’s first choice, but The i Paper understands he currently prefers a move to Manchester City. Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton, another top pick, is high on Liverpool’s agenda, too. Brighton’s Carlos Baleba also remains an option.
The other name who has rocketed up United’s wishlist, alongside the long-admired aforementioned trio, is Tonali.
Is a move for Tonali plausible?
Newcastle would command a fee “in excess” of £100m if they decided to cash in on Tonali, who the Magpies believe belongs in the top tier of midfielders across the league.
It remains a big if. Newcastle do not want to lose him and also do not want to be dragged into the latest round of stories surrounding his future. Tonali – who gave a searingly honest response when The i Paper asked him last year about his ambitions for the future – has been conspicious by his absence in Champions League press conferences and mixed zones in recent months.
Indeed there has been a degree of irritation at Newcastle at the noise around Tonali but also some encouragement at the way the Italy international has responded. He has delivered some of his best performances since scrutiny over his future has intensified in the wake of stories last month that he had been offered to Arsenal.
Tonali is viewed internally as honest and open and he is grateful to Newcastle for the way they handled his long suspension for gambling-related offences shortly after his £52m move from AC Milan. He also signed a contract until 2029 during that ban that did not include a release clause, which means Newcastle retain control in any summer transfer scramble.
How prepared are Newcastle for a possible exit?
But a combination of interest in him, the player’s ambition to challenge for top honours and Newcastle’s own hopes of European football next season being in the balance mean that Manchester United might view him as an attainable target. Some in the world of recruitment believe he is open to overtures from elsewhere.
The i Paper understands that Chelsea are another Premier League club who are monitoring his situation.
Newcastle are currently scouting multiple midfielder targets, with interest in Lamine Camara of Monaco intensifying. Sources in France have indicated that Djaoui Cisse, of Rennes, is another who has been watched.
But with doubts about Joe Willock’s future, Newcastle know they are likely to have to move for at least one midfielder this summer regardless of what happens with Tonali. The intention internally is clear: to compete with Manchester United in the market rather than hand over one of their star players to them.
Are there alternatives for Manchester United?
Premier League knowhow is key for United co-owner Ineos when making big-money signings.
The effect Bryan Mbuemo and Matheus Cunha have had on the club’s mini-revival under Michael Carrick is key to that thinking.
There are plenty of talented young midfielders on United’s list alongside Tonali – Sevilla’s Lucien Agoume being another top target – but for the high-profile arrivals, Premier League pedigree is the preferred option.
Arsenal are also understood to be keeping tabs on Tonali, only adding to the concerns over a long pursuit. For the right player, however, United’s hierarchy are ready to do battle.
What appeals about Tonali is the ground he covers and the energy he can bring to United’s midfield. Kobbie Mainoo has slotted back into Premier League life seamlessly after Ruben Amorim’s departure, but he is not the fast-breaking, box-to-box midfielder Tonali can be. The pair could work in tandem perfectly, or even as two of a midfield three.
The fee could be a stumbling block for United, given Tonali could cost upwards of £100m. The sales of Marcus Rashford to Barcelona and Rasmus Hojlund to Napoli after their season-long loans have finished, along with Manuel Ugarte – the Uruguayan is attracting interest from Turkey – could help boost their spending power.
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