- Manchester United legend has doubts over Newcastle duo
- Reds linked with Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes
- The pair could cost upwards of £170 million
Former Manchester United centre-back Rio Ferdinand has said that the club needs to target a different midfield profile from Newcastle United’s Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes to compete at the highest level.
Ferdinand said on his X account:
“Man United have been linked to [Sandro] Tonali and [Bruno] Guimaraes. I think centre-midfield is definitely an area where Man United are going to go and strengthen.”
He added:
“Would they be the first two I go for? Probably not. I think we need more of a dynamic, robust-looking midfielder to go in there with legs, to make that an engine room… Yes, they are top players, but it is the type of midfielder that I think will be different who we go for.”
Despite rumours linking United with Guimaraes, Andy Mitten of The Athletic said on Talk of the Devils that he does not know of any concrete interest from Manchester United, nor any kind of agreement.
Mitten suggests that such talks were coming from Newcastle captain Guimaraes’ camp. The Brazilian has just over two years left on his contract at St James’ Park.
Newcastle Pair Eyed by INEOS
Fabrizio Romano stated on his YouTube yesterday that there is “no negotiation” between Guimaraes and United.
“At the moment, there is no negotiation. Man United are not in active talks to sign Guimaraes. What Manchester did do is some weeks ago, they had a meeting with the agents of Gimaraes. This agency does not only represent Guimaraes.”
The agency that represents Guimaraes, Bertolucci Sports, currently has over 90 players registered.
While United may have held talks with Bertolucci Sports over Newcastle’s midfielders, the agency also represents Douglas Luiz and Andrey Santos—and those discussions could just as easily have centred on them.
There are also potential red flags around Newcastle’s Brazilian. Since INEOS assumed control of football operations, the oldest players they have signed—at the time of arrival—have been Noussair Mazraoui and Matheus Cunha, both aged 26.
Guimaraes, however, is already 28 years old and turns 29 in November. A midfielder who would be expected to work as a defensive midfielder alongside the likes of Kobbie Mainoo, the Brazilian might have just a few years left until he starts to get exposed like fellow countryman, Casemiro.
United have to consider whether to take a risk on a proven Premier League player who could be a great addition to the squad but would cost $80m (£60.5m). He isn’t the only option on their radar.
Do United Take the Risk?
While both Tonali and Guimaraes are exceptional players, signing them would not align with INEOS’s transfer strategy.
Guimaraes, for one, is simply too old and would likely cost a fee similar to what the club paid for Casemiro. Those in charge before INEOS made that mistake, one that the current regime will be keen not to repeat.
Tonali is definitely a wiser option. 25-years-old—turning 25 in May—the Italian is one of the world’s best in his position, and he could work extremely well next to Mainoo.
His signing, however, comes with a note of caution. Tonali has faced disciplinary issues relating to betting in the past. In October 2023, he received a 10-month ban for breaching Italian betting regulations.
