Manchester United are close to striking a deal for Newcastle United midfield anchor Sandro Tonali | OneFootball

With the summer transfer window fast approaching, Manchester United are moving quickly to reshape their squad under head coach Michael Carrick.

The Red Devils have made significant progress in their pursuit of Atalanta midfielder Ederson and are now reportedly close to an agreement with Newcastle United for Sandro Tonali.

Tonali, who is ‘better than Rice’ according to United legend Paul Scholes, faces an uncertain future at St James’ Park, just months after being linked with a winter move to Arsenal.

United are understood to have made Tonali their top midfield target, despite their ongoing pursuit of Atalanta’s Ederson.

After a turbulent campaign that has seen Eddie Howe’s side miss out on European qualification, Newcastle have accepted they may have to part with their star midfielder.

The Magpies are also under pressure to balance their books, making a high-profile sale increasingly likely.

Newcastle have set a hefty valuation of €100m (£86m) for the former AC Milan star, but a fee in the region of £70m plus performance-related bonuses could be enough to secure a deal.

Tonali is a dynamic deep-lying playmaker, capable of progressive ball-carrying and incisive passing.

Throughout the 2025/26 season, he has demonstrated the blend of physical resilience and technical security needed to anchor a top Premier League midfield.

Backing Carrick with a marquee signing of this magnitude would send a strong statement of intent from United’s INEOS-led hierarchy.

If United manage to get a deal over the line, Tonali could become the crown jewel of a revamped midfield designed to restore the club to title-contending status.