Manchester City have entered the race for Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali, and it’s fair to say the Italy international is nothing but gone.
While the pressure will be a bit on the Magpies’ side as major clubs circle one of their most valuable players and thus the Geordies will be forced to sell their man sooner or later, it’s also fair to assume that this development will also help NUFC extract the most possible money from whoever ends up with the midfielder.
The Athletic reported on Wednesday
that Man City are considering submitting a formal offer for Tonali, while still pursuing Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson in what would be a humongous spending spree—but not one the Cityzens cannot afford.
“Manchester City are giving genuine consideration to signing Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali as well as Elliot Anderson of Nottingham Forest,” The Athletic reported.
Tottenham was the first club to emerge as a bona fide suitor willing to make a strong move for Tonali. The Athletic reported that Spurs have held productive talks with Tonali’s camp, with Roberto De Zerbi pushing to make the Italy international a major summer signing, and late Wednesday, other reports were already speaking of Tonali having a complete verbal agreement with the Spurs, only pending the agreement between clubs.
“Total agreement in-place over a FIVE-YEAR contract until June 2031, with important salary that will make Tonali the highest paid player at the club!” the report says. “Sandro Tonali wants to join Spurs, he has APPROVED of the project after discussions with Roberto De Zerbi. No European Football is NOT an issue for Tonali!”
City’s interest, however, is significant because of the scale of the deal required, with The Athletic reporting that signing Tonali and Anderson could cost more than £200 million combined, with City rebuilding their midfield after Bernardo Silva’s exit and uncertainty around Rodri.
Sky Sports also reported that City are interested in the possibility of signing both Tonali and Anderson.
“Tonali, who has a contract until 2029, is expected to command a huge fee, with Newcastle unwilling to sell the Italy international,” Sky Sports reported.
Newcastle’s public stance remains that Tonali is not a player they want to lose, but word is already out there that as long as somebody pays what the club’s asking for (reportedly £100 million) they’d be cool selling him.
With Arsenal rumored to be interested, and now Tottenham and Man City as legitimate suitors set to bid for Tonali, we can surely say Tonali’s days in Tyneside are numbered.
