Manchester United are “ready” to launch an ambitious approach for Sandro Tonali as the club prepares a €100 million offer for the Newcastle United midfielder, according to a report from Italy.
Corriere dello Sport (as relayed by Sports Witness) contends the Red Devils have emerged as a frontrunner for Tonali, 25, who has emerged as one the Newcastle’s key players this season with a series of impressive performances at the heart of the Magpies’ midfield.
Serie A side Juventus are also suggested as a potential suitor of the Italian international but the report reveals United are the “new big contender” for Tonali’s signature.
Corriere dello Sport states Old Trafford officials are preparing a €100 million (£85m) offer to convince their domestic rivals at St James Park to part with their prized asset.
But this blockbuster bid will be dependent on United’s success in the Europa League this season and the qualification into next year’s Champions League it provides, and the vast array of financial benefits that come with this.
Should Ruben Amorim’s side emerge victorious from the final in Bilbao on May 21 against Tottenham Hotspur – a side they have already lost three times to this season – then the budget at Old Trafford will increase, enabling a move for Tonali, according to the report.
“The Reds Devils reportedly have an ambitious plan for the summer, based on them winning the Europa League and making it back into the Champions League, using the money from that competition.
“If they have that money the intention is to put €100m on the table to convince Newcastle to sell their star man. Whether they’d be willing to do so, even for such a vast sum, is up for debate.”
Tonali offers a potent pairing of physicality and technical ability, having formed a brilliant partnership with Bruno Guimaraes in Newcastle’s midfield.
Earlier in the season, Eddie Howe’s side thoroughly outplayed United at Old Trafford, winning 2-0 (though it should have been much more). And in the reverse fixture on Tyneside, Newcastle ran out convincing 4-1 winners, with Tonali scoring the opening goal.
In both matches, the Italian midfielder was one of the best players on the pitch – a sight United executives will seemingly have been playing close attention to, based on Corriere dello Sport’s claim.
However, Sports Witness consider this report a “wild one” which is “pulled from absolutely nothing”, suggesting Newcastle fans have “nothing to worry” about. And by implication, United fans should have little to get excited about as well.
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Darragh Fox
Darragh is a writer for The Peoples Person who spent three years as a history graduate slowly realising football was by far the most interesting thing to write about.
