English Media: Manchester United Aiming to Strengthen Midfield with Signing of Tonali This Summer, Newcastle Sets Price Over £100 Million

If Barcelona's key players are Pedri and Frenkie de Jong, then Newcastle's key players are Bruno Guimarães and Sandro Tonali. It could also be said that within Newcastle, only Guimarães and Tonali possess the caliber to be starters for a Premier League title-contending team. Newcastle suffered a heavy 3-8 aggregate defeat to Barcelona in the Champions League quarter-finals. Given the current strength of the Magpies, it is challenging for them to compete for major trophies. Therefore, standout players like Guimarães and Tonali might seek to move to a bigger stage after the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico to prove themselves.

According to recent reports from British media outlet iNews, Manchester United plans to bolster their midfield in the upcoming summer transfer window. Casemiro's contract with Manchester United expires at the end of this season. Having benefited from signings like Mbemba and Cunha, United hopes to acquire a proven, powerful midfielder from the Premier League, with their primary target being Newcastle's 25-year-old Italian midfielder Sandro Tonali. Newcastle will not easily let go of their top player Tonali. If the player decides to leave in pursuit of his ambitions, Newcastle's asking price for Tonali would exceed £100 million.

Tonali began his career at Brescia's youth academy. In the summer of 2021, he transferred from Brescia to AC Milan for €14.28 million. Then, in the summer of 2023, he moved to Newcastle in the Premier League for €60.8 million. So far, he has played 104 matches for the Magpies across all competitions, scoring 10 goals and providing 10 assists. Last season, as a key player, he helped the team win the League Cup.

The 25-year-old Tonali stands 1.81 meters tall and is a right-footed player capable of playing as a defensive midfielder or central midfielder. His current market value is estimated at €80 million according to Transfermarkt, and his contract with Newcastle runs until 2028. This season, Tonali has made 47 appearances for Newcastle in various competitions, contributing 3 goals and 7 assists.