Manchester United are reportedly maintaining contact with Newcastle’s Sandro Tonali as they search for a marquee midfield addition this summer transfer window.
The Italian’s agent, Beppe Riso, has described his client as “one of the best midfielders in the world,” underlining the pedigree United would be adding to their squad.
United have already moved to sign Ederson from the Premier League in what looks like a reported bargain deal worth £39m, a solid piece of business by sporting director Jason Wilcox and his team.
However, supporters are craving a bigger statement signing in the middle of the park, with Elliott Anderson of Nottingham Forest widely regarded as the club’s dream target this summer.
Forest are demanding a British record transfer fee for Anderson, and Manchester City are also at the table, making the prospect of United landing him increasingly unlikely.
As a result, United have been scouting alternatives, with Brighton’s Carlos Baleba reportedly already having agreed personal terms, while Adam Wharton and Mateus Fernandes are also on the radar.
Tonali, meanwhile, has emerged as one of the most exciting options available, though Newcastle’s £100m valuation remains a significant obstacle for all interested parties.
According to TEAMtalk, Tonali’s dream move would be a return to Italy to play for AC Milan, but that scenario is considered unlikely given the financial landscape.
United, City and Arsenal have all maintained contact with the player’s camp, with all three clubs assessing whether the price tag might drop later in the window.
They also face competition from Inter and Juventus, who are both admirers of the Italian midfielder and would welcome the chance to bring him to Serie A.
The case for signing Tonali becomes even more compelling when comparing his statistical profile to that of Kobbie Mainoo, with the two sharing remarkably similar traits on the pitch.
Per 90 minutes in the 2025/26 Premier League season, both players registered identical figures in chances created at 1.2, and both averaged 0.2 through balls per game.
Mainoo edges Tonali in tackles made, duels won and take-ons completed, while Tonali leads slightly in fouls won, suggesting he draws more contact from opponents in tight situations.
Ball recoveries are virtually identical across the pair, with Tonali averaging 5.3 per 90 and Mainoo recording 5.2, highlighting their shared ability to win possession back for their sides.
Perhaps the most important shared quality is their press resistance, which allows both players to carry the ball through lines and help their teams transition effectively up the pitch.
Mainoo’s own situation at United has been a remarkable turnaround, having not started a single league game under Ruben Amorim between August 2025 and mid-January before Michael Carrick revived his fortunes.
Under Carrick, the 21-year-old became one of the first names on the teamsheet, playing 90 minutes in virtually every available match except when sidelined by injury against Leeds.
Mainoo is now World Cup bound with England, set to partner Declan Rice in midfield, and will undoubtedly be central to United’s plans heading into next season.
The question now is who will line up alongside him at club level, with Tonali representing a player who could add an extra layer of energy and quality to United’s midfield engine room.
At £100m the deal looks prohibitive, but if United can negotiate the fee down to a more reasonable level, securing a player of Tonali’s calibre alongside Mainoo could prove to be a transformative piece of business.