Manchester United Eye Sandro Tonali as Key Target in Summer Midfield Overhaul
Manchester United are already laying the foundations for a significant squad rebuild this summer, and reports suggest that Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali is emerging as a top target for the Red Devils, according to The Telegraph.
With major changes expected at Old Trafford at the end of the season, the Italian international is being considered as a long-term replacement for Casemiro, whose departure will leave a significant void in United’s midfield.
Casemiro, who has been a pivotal presence in Manchester United’s engine room, is set to leave once his contract expires, leaving the club in search of a dependable, long-term solution.
Tonali, 25, fits the profile perfectly: a player capable of combining defensive discipline with creativity and composure, while also offering leadership and experience at a high level.
United’s recruitment team is understood to be exploring multiple options to fill the gap, with Tonali topping a shortlist that also includes Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson and Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton.
The club is reportedly looking for younger, dynamic players who can anchor the midfield for the next several seasons rather than temporary solutions.
Tonali’s appeal to Manchester United lies in several factors. Since joining Newcastle in 2023 from AC Milan for around £55 million, he has adapted well to the physical and tactical demands of the Premier League.
Over three seasons in England, Tonali has developed into a key figure for the Magpies when available, showcasing a rare combination of aggression, intelligence, and composure on the ball.
Comfortable in a deep-lying role or slightly further forward, he provides the balance of defensive solidity and progressive passing that United have sometimes lacked.
Moreover, his leadership qualities are well established: he captained AC Milan at a young age before moving to England, demonstrating maturity and authority beyond his years.
At 25, he is entering his prime, and United see him as a potential central figure at Old Trafford for the next five to seven years.
Tonali’s situation at Newcastle, however, is complicated. The Italian’s agent, Giuseppe Riso, recently confirmed that discussions about the midfielder’s long-term future will take place during the summer, a statement that has inevitably drawn attention from Europe’s elite clubs.
Riso noted that Tonali remains happy at Newcastle and feels a strong connection to the club, adding that nothing has been decided yet. Much will depend on Newcastle’s season outcome.
Currently outside the Premier League’s European qualification spots, Newcastle face a tough challenge to reach the Champions League via the league, despite being involved in a European play-off against Qarabag. Should they fail to secure top-tier European football, interest in Tonali is expected to intensify.
Financially, Newcastle are in a strong position. Tonali’s current contract runs until 2029, with an option for an additional year, giving the club leverage in any potential negotiations.
There is no pressing financial pressure to sell, meaning Manchester United may have to offer a substantial fee to secure his signature.
For the Red Devils, however, Tonali represents the ideal long-term solution to replace Casemiro and stabilize the midfield as they plan for the next phase of the club’s evolution.
