Manchester United are keen on Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali as a potential replacement for Casemiro. Tonali was the subject of a surprise link to Arsenal on transfer deadline day but no move materialized.
Although the player’s agent has move to dismiss these links, Tonali’s future at St. James’ Park remains uncertain. The Italy international is reportedly keen on playing Champions League next season, and could be tempted to move if Newcastle’s league position does not improve.
Tonali has admirers in the Premier League and abroad and could command a sum of over £100m. Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City, and Juventus are all known to be tracking the player.
The Telegraph has reported that United are hoping to pair Tonali with the resurgent Kobbie Mainoo in midfield, as they prepare for life without Casemiro. Casemiro is likely to leave Old Trafford when his contract expires, after the club opted against triggering the one-year extension option.
United keen on Tonali
United are known to be planning a midfield rebuild next summer. The club has continued to be linked with top midfielders from the Premier League and abroad.
Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton, Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson, and Brighton’s Carlos Baleba are amongst the names most commonly linked with moves to Old Trafford. Tonali is now the newest high profile midfielder to be linked.
United are believed to be preparing for life without not only Casemiro, but Manuel Ugarte as well. The latter has struggled to nail down a regular spot for United since joining in 2024.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is another who has been linked with a shock move away from Old Trafford after lucrative offers arrived from Saudi Arabian clubs last summer. Fernandes revealed that the United hierarchy were seemingly in favour of the move despite then manager Ruben Amorim’s insistence on keeping the player.
Fernandes is believed to be settled at this point and will likely decide his future once a permanent manager has been appointed. The same can be said for Kobbie Mainoo, who found himself frozen out of the first team picture by Ruben Amorim but has been a fixture under interim boss Michael Carrick.
The pair are expected to stay at Old Trafford next season alongside a few fresh faces. Tonali could be one fresh face, although at the moment he is unlikely to agitate for a move away from Newcastle.
The 25-year-old is reportedly happy with life in the North East and remains thankful to the club for their backing during his ten-month betting ban shortly after his arrival from AC Milan. Champions League football for next season remains the only deciding factor at the moment, with the Magpies currently sitting in 12th.
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