- Manchester United were keen on Tonali last year
- Finances meant a move wasn’t made
- Uncertainty over pursuing Newcastle star this summer
It has been revealed that Manchester United wanted to sign Newcastle United star Sandro Tonali last summer. The midfielder has been an anchor for Eddie Howe’s side in recent seasons, despite being banned from football in 2023 for betting-related offences.
Tonali has come back to feature for both Newcastle and Italy as a key player. He has become a key man in the middle of the park at St James’ Park and, as such, garnered interest from the likes of Manchester United.
The Reds are looking to replace the outgoing Casemiro with a player with a similar skill set and stature. Tonali’s name has emerged in recent months as the ideal signing for the Old Trafford side. Other names have also been floated, such as Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson and Brighton’s Carlos Baleba.
Tonali a Long-Term Target
According to Laurie Whitwell of The Athletic, Tonali was identified as a ‘priority target’ for Manchester United last summer, but was not pursued due to the overall cost. Journalist James Horncastle also added that a United source downplayed the prospect of signing Tonali this summer.
The finances were tight at Old Trafford last summer, making it a surprise that United even spent £236m on signing Bryan Mbuemo, Benjamin Sesko and Matheus Cunha. It was partly subsidised, with key departures and loan deals, including buying options, for this summer.
The addition of Champions League qualification should give United some extra projected revenue for the year ahead. However, Newcastle’s reported valuation of £80m could deter suitors. The club have no need to sell, with the player contracted until 2029.
The high valuation already rules out a return to Italy. Only Premier League clubs would be able to afford the midfielder when taking into account bonuses, wages and agent fees too. Manchester City and Arsenal are also reportedly interested in Tonali. City have already posed as an obstacle to United’s dealings. They are said to be more likely to land Anderson’s signature.
Should Tonali be the number one target?
One key factor to consider is the player’s best interests. As it currently stands, Newcastle will not qualify for the Champions League in 2026/27. They have been wildly inconsistent under Eddie Howe this season, with no guarantee that he will be the manager ahead of the new season. The Magpies sit in 12th place, having already been knocked out of Europe’s elite competition by FC Barcelona.
The former AC Milan player may indicate that he wants to move on. This would alert a host of clubs who are said to be interested in the player, such as Manchester United. The Red Devils also have other targets in mind, so unlike previous seasons, they would be more inclined to shift their eyes towards other targets.
Before INEOS came in as minority owners, fans felt as though the club were wasting too much time fixating on one name. These days, the club have contingency plans. Eliot Anderson’s valuation is similar to that of Tonali’s, but feels slightly more achievable given Forest’s relegation scrap.
The lure of moving to Old Trafford is too hard to resist for some. In some cases, it may just require the player to push for it just as much as the club does.
