Manchester City launch fresh enquiries for £100 million midfielder as Elliot Anderson deal nears | OneFootball

Officials at Manchester City have lodged new enquiries over the possibility of signing Sandro Tonali in addition to Elliot Anderson this summer, according to new reports.

The transfer department within the City Football Academy offices is likely to explode into life as manager Enzo Maresca prepares to officially assume first-team operations on July 1, both in the way of arrivals and departures from the first-team.

Following the completion of a £17 million compensation package agreed with Chelsea to seal a three-year contract at the Etihad Stadium, Sporting Director Hugo Viana has moved with ambition to equip his new Italian manager with stronger options.

The club has already flexed its financial muscle by finalising a club record-breaking £116 million agreement for Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson, with the midfielder successfully completing his medical checks at the England camp over the weekend.

However, with the recent departure of veteran playmaker Bernardo Silva to Real Madrid and concerns surrounding the immediate physical load on the squad, Viana refuses to restrict his rebuilding to a single marquee arrival. This urgency has only intensified following the revelation that Rodri requires post-World Cup surgery on an unnamed injury, ruling the Spaniard icon out of the club’s pre-season period.

Recognising a need for further world-class midfield options, City’s recruitment team has actively turned their focus back towards Tyneside as they continue attempts to construct a bold midfield ahead of the August 23 Premier League opener against Bournemouth.

Man City launch fresh Tonali transfer enquiries

According to The Chronicle’s Lee Ryder, Manchester City have made fresh enquiries on Sandro Tonali with Tottenham yet to return with their own follow up bid having seen an offer of £80 million rejected by Newcastle.

Those at St James’ Park are said to be wanting closer to £100 million for the Italy international, should he leave the club this summer.

How does the rest of Man City’s summer look?

As Manchester City’s senior squad prepares to report back for training on July 20 before travelling to Eastern Asia for the first of three pre-season friendlies – starting with Inter Milan in Hong Kong – resolving a central spine conundrum remains a priority.

Concurrently, Hugo Viana is managing separate negotiations, including an interest in Chelsea right-back Malo Gusto, while overseeing a coaching shake-up in the club’s Academy alongside Thomas Krucken – namely a promotion for Under-18 boss Oliver Reiss into the Elite Development Squad (EDS).

Whether Sandro Tonali honours his initially reported understanding with Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi or succumbs to the allure of the Etihad Stadium, City’s relentless offensive demonstrates a complete refusal to settle this summer as Maresca’s new era begins.