Manchester United make Tonali the top midfield target for summer 2026 | OneFootball

Reports in the UK claim that Manchester United are growing increasingly keen on the idea of signing Sandro Tonali from Newcastle this summer, and that the Red Devils will prioritise the purchase of the Italy international over the likes of Elliot Anderson or Adam Wharton.

Manchester United expected to bid for Tonali in the summer

According to reports from MailOnline’s chief Football reporter Craig Hope, Manchester United are expected to make a ‘formal approach’ for Tonali once the 2025-26 season comes to an end.

The former Milan midfielder sits atop a midfield shortlist that also includes Nottingham Forest’s Anderson, linked with a move to Manchester City, and fellow England international Wharton of Crystal Palace.

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes is also said to have ‘added his support’ to an approach for Tonali this summer.

Prizing Tonali away from Newcastle will be an expensive affair, though. He remains under contract at St. James’s Park for another three years, and has an option to extend for an additional 12 months.

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 24: Sandro Tonali of Newcastle United celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Knockout Play-off Second Leg match between Newcastle United FC and Qarabag FK at St James’ Park on February 24, 2026 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

Reports in Italy suggest that Newcastle could seek a fee in the region of €90m for Tonali this summer, which will likely price the interested Serie A sides out of the equation, including Juventus.

Manchester United could be in a prime position to snatch Tonali away from Newcastle, though, given the financial resources available to them and the fact that they are closing in on a guaranteed spot in next season’s Champions League.

Newcastle, meanwhile, look set to miss out on European football altogether next season as they currently find themselves in 12th place in the Premier League table with seven league games of the season left to go.