How Sandro Tonali fits into Manchester City transfer plans amid Elliot Anderson doubts | OneFootball

Manchester City’s interest in Sandro Tonali would not be linked to any potential move for Elliot Anderson, with the uncertainty surrounding the club’s midfield situation driving a separate pursuit of the Newcastle United midfielder.

City have been monitoring Tonali’s situation at St. James’ Park for some time, with the Italy international expected to leave Newcastle this summer amid a reported gentleman’s agreement that would allow him to depart should the Magpies miss out on European qualification. Newcastle value the 26-year-old at around €100 million.

The update comes with City having seen an opening bid for Anderson rejected by Nottingham Forest, though the Blues remain confident of completing a deal for the England midfielder. The two pursuits are understood to be driven by entirely different needs within the squad rather than being contingent on one another.

Report: Tonali interest separate from Anderson pursuit

As per Simon Bajkowski of the Manchester Evening News, Manchester City‘s interest in Sandro Tonali would not be linked to any move for Elliot Anderson, with the uncertainty in midfield around Rodri, Nico Gonzalez, Mateo Kovacic and Tijjani Reijnders the driving factor behind a separate line of interest in the Newcastle midfielder.

The distinction is a significant one, suggesting City are not simply weighing up Tonali as an alternative to Anderson but as a potential addition that addresses a different set of concerns entirely — namely the cloud of uncertainty hanging over their existing midfield options heading into the 2026-27 season.

What is the wider context for City’s midfield planning?

Rodri enters the final year of his contract this summer with talks over an extension ongoing, while Reijnders has attracted interest from Atletico Madrid and Kovacic’s future at the Etihad Stadium is far from certain.

Gonzalez, meanwhile, has impressed when deputising for Rodri but questions remain over whether he is ready to carry a starting burden across a full campaign.

It is that combination of factors, as per Bajkowski, that is keeping Tonali firmly on City’s radar regardless of how the Anderson situation develops in the weeks ahead.