Manchester United prioritising Newcastle’s Sandro Tonali in midfield overhaul | OneFootball

Manchester United are set to centre their summer transfer window around a significant midfield overhaul, with Newcastle United’s Sandro Tonali emerging as the top priority.

While the Red Devils are close to agreeing a deal for Atalanta enforcer Ederson, reports from Italy suggest that United’s decision-makers have shifted their primary focus to securing Tonali, who faces an uncertain future at St James’ Park.

Manager Michael Carrick is the driving force behind this intensified pursuit. Having led United back into the Champions League with a third-place Premier League finish, Carrick has informed the INEOS hierarchy that Tonali is his priority target.

Carrick, who excelled as a deep-lying playmaker during his own illustrious playing career at Old Trafford, reportedly views the 26-year-old Italian as the ideal tactical anchor to partner teenage sensation Kobbie Mainoo.

With Casemiro bidding an emotional farewell to the Old Trafford faithful ahead of an expected move to Major League Soccer, and Manuel Ugarte strongly tipped for a summer departure, a void exists at the base of United’s midfield.

Tonali offers a rare blend of elite positional discipline, press resistance, and progressive passing range—qualities Carrick believes can elevate United from top-four finishers to genuine title contenders.

However, prising the former AC Milan star away from Tyneside will require a significant financial package. Newcastle find themselves in a vulnerable position after missing out on European football entirely.

While Magpies boss Eddie Howe is desperate to retain his midfield linchpin, a bid in the region of €80m would severely test Newcastle’s resolve under strict Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR), and Manchester United are reportedly growing increasingly confident that a deal can be struck.