Newcastle United CEO sends Sandro Tonali transfer message to Pep Guardiola and Manchester City | OneFootball

Newcastle United chief executive David Hopkinson has outlined the club’s strategy for the upcoming transfer window amid interest from Manchester City in Sandro Tonali.

City are interested in signing Tonali from St. James’ Park to bolster their midfield as they prepare for Bernardo Silva‘s inevitable exit and contract talks with Ballon d’Or winner Rodri.

The Blues are also leading the race for Nottingham Forest and England star Elliot Anderson and will strengthen their interest in the 23-year-old ahead of the FIFA World Cup.

Meanwhile, executives at the Etihad Stadium are staying abreast of developments around Tonali’s situation at Newcastle United, where the Italian is under contract till 2029, with the option of an additional 12 months.

Man City interest in Newcastle’s Tonali explained

While Anderson is leading City’s shopping list for the summer, club officials are actively monitoring Tonali’s contract situation at St. James’ Park, with the midfielder expected to leave the club after a disappointing season for the Magpies.

Tonali is entering the prime of his career and is believed to be drawn to the prospect of competing for winning trophies at an elite club, amid interest from Manchester City, Manchester United and Arsenal.

City are prioritising the signing of a world-class midfielder in the summer and are understood to be frontrunners to sign Anderson, who is also expected to leave Nottingham Forest after the FIFA World Cup.

However, it is expected that Tonali will have to push for a move away from Newcastle United this summer if he wants to join Manchester City – or another suitor – this summer, as there is reportedly no gentlemen’s agreement between the 25-year-old and the Magpies that would allow him to leave three years before his contract ends.

Newcastle CEO: Our strategy is to buy well and sell well

In a new, in-depth interview with Newcastle’s in-house media team, Magpies CEO David Hopkinson has outlined the club’s transfer policy for the summer window.

“We haven’t got an overall strategy with regard to players out, necessarily,” Hopkinson said. “We think through what players might or might not want to do this summer. But if an (Alexander) Isak-like scenario presents itself again, any player under contract is going to leave on our terms and we’re going to maximise the opportunity that might represent for the club.

“Going forward, our strategy is to buy well and sell well. Buying well does not necessarily mean spending the most money. It means working in the marketplace for the players that generate the most value for this club rather than the fee paid for them.

“So there are a multitude of things we need to employ, including developing our own, looking for opportunities in the marketplace and making sure we are maximising our opportunity within the available price we can produce.”