Manchester United are reportedly considering a stunning £84.5 million move for a “ridiculous” midfielder from a Premier League rival.
Ruben Amorim is planning his squad overhaul ahead of his first summer transfer window with the club. His first January window saw Manchester United sign Patrick Chinazaekpere Dorgu and Arsenal youth player Ayden Heaven, but this summer, Amorim will target further additions to his squad.
Amorim will be hoping to avoid a season like this one, which is set to see United achieve their lowest-ever Premier League points tally. The club has struggled to score goals this season, leading to rumours suggesting that attacking players are the club’s priority this window.
The team also needs to improve defensively, conceding 53 goals in 36 games in the league. Due to this, there have also been links to multiple defensive players and potentially a new goalkeeper being signed amid André Onana’s frailties.
This hunt for defensive players has continued this week as United have now been linked to a move for one of their Premier League rivals’ star defensive midfielders.
United eyeing stunning Tonali move this summer
A report from Corriere dello Sport via Tutto Mercato Webb states that United are interested in signing Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali. The Italian joined the club for £55 million from AC Milan in 2023.
“The Red Devils’ plan is ambitious but presupposes winning the Europa League on May 21 in Bilbao against Tottenham: victory would guarantee participation in the next Champions League. In the event of a defeat, however, United would be out of the cups next season,” the report reads.
“With the Champions League pass in their pocket, the club intends to put €100 million on the table to convince Newcastle to sell the midfielder of Spalletti’s national team.”
The proposed £84.5 million for Tonali would likely make him the most expensive player United signs this summer. Like with other transfers that are rumoured to be taking place this summer, it looks like it will be heavily dependent on whether or not United win the Europa League.
As well as the prize money for winning the tournament, United would also earn a substantial amount from the subsequent Champions League qualification.
If United were to try to sign Tonali, then they may end up entering a bidding war with Juventus. The Turin side has been linked to numerous defensive players in the last week, including Arsenal’s Thomas Partey and United’s own Victor Lindelöf.
Juventus might believe they can convince Tonali to join them by having the added incentive of being based in his home country.
Is Tonali the right type of player for Amorim?
United need reinforcements all over the pitch, but so far, it hasn’t seemed like a deep midfielder is a priority position for the upcoming transfer window. Newcastle Tonali predominantly plays like a defensive midfielder, whereas United appears to be favouring attacking signings like Matheus Cuhna and Bryan Mbuemo.
Currently, Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte predominantly fill the deeper midfield roles. If Casemiro left the club in the summer, Kobbie Mainoo, Bruno Fernandes, and Toby Collyer would still be able to play that position.
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United may also be reluctant to sign Tonali based on his previous suspension. In October 2023, Tonali was sentenced to a 10-month suspension from football for breaching FIGC betting rules. Purchasing Tonali is a risk; should such events repeat themselves, he would become a very expensive absent player.
As fantastic a player as Tonali is, this transfer feels unlikely. The price seems high for a position that United are not prioritising.
Furthermore, it certainly won’t transpire if United fail to win the Europa League final. Perhaps if United conduct more pressing business quickly, then we could see a move for a defensive midfielder, but it likely won’t be the Italian.
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