Manchester City have secured their first trophy of the season with their Carabao Cup win over Arsenal, and there is still an opportunity to add more.
The Cityzens return to action this weekend in the FA Cup quarter-finals when they host Liverpool at the Etihad, before continuing their pursuit of the Gunners in the Premier League title race.
Pep Guardiola will be hoping that a taste of success in the League Cup helps his side push on and secure more silverware in the closing weeks of the season.
Despite their slow start, the January transfer window has significantly improved City.
The additions of two Premier League stars, Antoine Semenyo and Marc Guehi, have both played key roles since moving to the blue side of Manchester in the new year.
No matter the outcome of the rest of the campaign, their decision to inject further Premier League experience in the winter window is likely to influence their summer recruitment plans.
One player who has been strongly linked with a move to the Etihad is Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali, and a fresh update has revealed what it will take to get a deal done.
According to Football Insider, Newcastle are set to demand £80m to part ways with their Italian star this summer.
The publication claims that Man City are among the frontrunners to sign Tonali, but as one of Eddie Howe’s key players, Newcastle will not be bullied into selling for less than their valuation.
Speaking on the Transfer Insider podcast, transfer correspondent Pete O’Rourke revealed:
“You’re probably looking at between £70m and £80m to sign Tonali, and that would price him out of a move to many of the top Italian clubs, especially when factoring in his wages.”
“If he were to leave Newcastle in the summer window, it would only be for one of the clubs capable of meeting both his fee and salary demands.”
Can Man City sign Sandro Tonali?
There is no doubt that Newcastle boast one of the most talented and well-balanced midfield units in the Premier League.
The trio of Bruno Guimaraes, Joelinton and Tonali has long been regarded as the driving force behind the club’s success in recent years.
The 25-year-old Italy international – once hailed as a “superstar” by Newcastle’s chief executive officer, David Hopkinson – has demonstrated his ability to offer both defensive reliability and attacking prowess during his Tyneside tenure, making him an ideal addition to the centre of the pitch for Man City.
However, with European football potentially out of reach for the Geordies, there may be an opportunity for City to strike while Newcastle reassess their next steps towards returning to the Champions League places.
Newcastle have also been heavily impacted by PSR constraints, meaning a significant sale cannot be ruled out.
This comes after their difficult decision to part ways with Alexander Isak following a £130m offer from Liverpool last summer.
As a result, if Man City are willing to meet Newcastle’s valuation, there is no reason why a deal could not progress smoothly.
About the Author
