Sandro Tonali linked with shock Newcastle United transfer exit as Man Utd lurk amid agent claims
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Newcastle United latest news: Sandro Tonali has been linked with a move to Manchester United this summer.
Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali is reportedly wanted by Manchester United this summer.
The Italian international was briefly linked with a shock move to Arsenal in the last few hours of the winter transfer window, only for those rumours to be quashed almost as quickly as they had sprung up in Germany. Tonali has been at Newcastle United for two-and-a-half seasons and, following his ten-month ban from football, has transformed himself into one of the Premier League’s best midfield players, despite some mixed form of late.
Speaking about the midfielder and his commitment to the club following those deadline day rumours, Eddie Howe said last week ahead of their Carabao Cup clash with Manchester City: “I think he's such an integral player to what we're doing.
“I think he's very happy here. He loves playing for Newcastle and loves representing the city.
“Sandro's absolutely fine. I had discussions with Sandro yesterday. He's absolutely focused on the here, the now, playing for us.
“His only focus, talking to him yesterday, was Manchester City and trying to win that game. So, there's absolutely no issue with Sandro himself, and he's very happy and he's committed. So, I find it difficult to talk about things that I don't know too much about.
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“I can only talk about Sandro as the person and the player and his sort of mindset here and now, having discussed things with him yesterday. He's absolutely fine.”
Manchester United ‘interested’ in Sandro Tonali transfer
Less than a week on from that deadline day drama, though, and there is yet more transfer talk surrounding the Italian international. This time, reports from The Telegraph suggest that Manchester United have put Tonali on their shortlist of players to strengthen their midfield this summer.
The Red Devils will lose Casemiro, who has announced he will leave Old Trafford at the end of the season, whilst they continue to plan for whoever succeeds Ruben Amorim on a permanent basis. Tonali, though, is expected to be priced at around £100m by Newcastle United.
Reports linking Manchester United with a move for Tonali came on the weekend that his agent, Giuseppe Riso, confirmed that his client could leave Tyneside if they are unable to secure Champions League football this season. In a fresh interview with Tuttosport, Riso admitted a decision will be made on Tonali’s future in the summer with fresh transfer talks expected.
Riso said: “Newcastle are having a hard time letting go of Sandro, and he wants to lead the club to the Champions League.
"These transfer discussions will take place later. We’ll see how the season ends and then we’ll decide what to do.
“There’s no preference at the moment. It’s still early. What we’re saying today won’t apply tomorrow.
“Newcastle couldn’t let him go now, and there’s no point in moving, especially since Sandro is very attached to the club. We’ll evaluate and decide what to do in the summer.”
Manchester United have also been credited with an interest in Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson. The former Newcastle United man, though, is also expected to cost near £100m this summer.