Sandro Tonali: Man United given extra motivation to battle PL heavyweights for midfielder | OneFootball

Manchester United have been given the perfect motivation to pursue their ambitious raid on Newcastle United for Sandro Tonali.

United’s midfield is due for a rebuild this summer. That rebuild ought to have started last summer, yet it did not, with INEOS postponing it after failing to agree a deal for top target Carlos Baleba.

That transfer need, coupled with Casemiro’s confirmed summer exit, now makes it an absolute priority for the Red Devils to sign two or three top midfielders and build a proper engine room capable of competing on multiple fronts.

Tonali a prime United target

Newcastle United’s Sandro Tonali has been identified as one of the standout central midfielders United are pushing to sign.

The Italian is a man very much on the rise; his complete, high-intensity, and versatile performances have seen him dominate both the defensive and offensive facets of the game, making him a dream signing for any top Premier League club. United are joined by Arsenal and Manchester City in the race for his signature.

With the player seemingly ready to take the next step, United and their Premier League rivals are plotting a summer move for the Newcastle United star.

As INEOS prepare to battle it out in what promises to be a fiercely contested pursuit, Tonali’s camp have now handed them extra motivation to press ahead.

Tonali’s agent speaks

Speaking to Calcio Finanza, Tonali’s agent Giuseppe Riso was asked whether his client could leave Tyneside for a top Premier League club this summer.

He responded: “Exactly, that was the goal from the moment he went to England, to try to make him a star player. I think he’s the Italian footballer with one of the highest values in the world.”

Riso then hinted that after the World Cup, a major battle for Tonali is likely to follow:

“If he shines at the World Cup, will City or Arsenal be hot on his heels? I don’t know (laughs, ed.), but it’s very likely. Everyone is waiting for the World Cup; then a thousand scenarios will unfold, but it all kicks off after the World Cup.”

The answer lies in swaying Tonali towards Old Trafford

With the midfielder’s desire for a big move made plain by his entourage, United must now act on it. They need to sway him towards their project, hand him the keys to their engine room, and convince him that Old Trafford is his best next destination.

There is little doubt that Tonali is the ideal heir to Casemiro; he could yet prove the missing piece as United look to finally solve the puzzle of their dream midfield ahead of next season.

Once convinced to move to M16, snubbing both Arsenal and Manchester City, the 25-year-old would place Newcastle United in an extremely difficult transfer situation, particularly if he were to submit a transfer request.

With United ready to spend big to get their midfield right, Tonali could well swap the Cathedral on the Hill for the Theatre of Dreams.

Feature image Carl Recine via Getty Images

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