Manchester United are leading the race to sign Italy international Sandro Tonali from Newcastle United this summer, according to multiple reports from Italian and English outlets, with INEOS prepared to table a substantial offer for the midfielder ahead of the new season.
The 26-year-old has established himself as one of the Premier League’s standout central midfielders since joining Newcastle from AC Milan in 2023, making over 100 appearances and contributing ten goals and ten assists.
United’s interest is driven by a pressing need to replace Casemiro, who has left Old Trafford as a free agent following Ruben Amorim’s replacement by Michael Carrick as manager, and Manuel Ugarte has similarly failed to impose himself as the long-term solution.
Italian publication Corriere della Sera reported this week that United are in pole position for Tonali’s signature if the player leaves Newcastle, describing the club as “ready to welcome him” as the likelihood of a summer move grows. Tutto Mercato Web separately reported that United have already made clear to intermediaries they are “ready to submit a suitable offer” for the player this summer.
Newcastle are holding firm on a valuation between £75 million and £80 million with add-ons, a figure that prices out the Italian clubs who remain admirers. Juventus have been repeatedly linked with Tonali given his desire to eventually return to Serie A, but the Bianconeri cannot match Newcastle’s asking price or the reported £8 million-a-year salary demands attached to any deal.
Gary Neville, speaking on his podcast after United’s final home game, named Tonali’s position as the most pressing area to address but acknowledged the difficulty of actually landing him. “Manchester United need a 25 to 26-year-old version of Casemiro, but the problem is that it costs you £100m nowadays,” Neville said. “His heading and aerial ability in both boxes will be very difficult to replace.”
The complicating factor is Tonali’s own reported preference. He is said to have a genuine desire to return to Italy at some point, which gives Juventus a theoretical edge even if their finances cannot currently support a move. Whether that preference is strong enough to delay a lucrative Premier League transfer is the critical question facing United’s recruitment team.
United have allocated up to £150 million for three summer signings, which means the Tonali pursuit is feasible within their planning even at the upper end of Newcastle’s valuation. Carlos Baleba of Brighton has also had personal terms agreed with United according to some reports, suggesting the club may pursue multiple midfield options simultaneously rather than placing all their eggs in one basket.
Newcastle’s position is complicated by their own transfer ambitions. Eddie Howe publicly stated that this summer “has to be different” from the difficult window 12 months ago. Selling Tonali to a direct Premier League rival while simultaneously trying to attract quality replacements is the kind of balancing act that has undermined clubs before.
The player’s personal preference and the two clubs’ valuation gap are the two remaining obstacles to a deal that, on paper, makes sense for almost everyone involved.
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