Inside the race to sign Sandro Tonali as Manchester United make final transfer decision | OneFootball

Manchester City are not expected to face competition from Manchester United this summer should they pursue a deal for Newcastle United’s Sandro Tonali, as per a new report.

The update comes against the backdrop of Tottenham entering the race for Tonali, with manager Roberto De Zerbi keen to add the Italy international to his Spurs midfield as part of an ambitious rebuilding project in north London.

Spurs are also in negotiations with Manchester City over the signing of 22-year-old Brazilian winger Savinho, who will be allowed to leave the Etihad Stadium this summer. for a fee in the region of £60 million.

Report: Man United’s withdrawal, Newcastle’s £100M price tag & Tonali’s stated preference

According to Telegraph Sport’s Luke Edwards, Newcastle United are braced for offers as Tottenham join Arsenal and City in the race for the 26-year-old, with the Magpies expected to demand a fee in the region of £100 million.

Manchester United are understood to have already informed Newcastle that they will not enter the bidding, with the combined burden of a near-£100 million fee and Tonali’s wage demands viewed internally as prohibitive amid United’s own financial planning this summer.

Tottenham’s interest under De Zerbi is described as genuine, but it is also claimed that earlier conversations between Newcastle and the player’s representatives identified Arsenal and Manchester City – rather than Tottenham – as Tonali’s two most desirable destinations, should he depart St James’ Park.

Newcastle, for their part, are braced for a fresh round of bids as the asking price hovers around the £100 million mark, a valuation that reflects how central Tonali has become to Eddie Howe‘s side since his arrival to Tyneside from AC Milan.

Where does this leave Man City’s midfield plans this summer?

The update arrives with City sporting director Hugo Viana still working out whether to formalise a move for Tonali or remain fixated on his primary target in Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson, who remains on course to become Britain’s most expensive transfer this summer.

City’s hierarchy have so far avoided publicly tipping their hand over a preference between the two midfielders, though reports of representatives’ contact suggesting Tonali’s openness to the Etihad Stadium could yet accelerate matters.

With incoming Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca set to inherit a squad already shifting at both ends of the pitch, getting central midfield reinforcement right is shaping up as one of the defining calls of his first transfer window.

Whether City move for Tonali, push instead for Anderson, or find a way to sign both before the FIFA World Cup concludes remains to be seen, but Newcastle’s stance suggests Manchester United, at least, are no longer part of the equation.