Manchester City are considering a move for Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali after having a £121 million bid for Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson rejected, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano. City’s offer, comprising £106 million plus £15 million in add-ons, fell short of Forest’s demands, who are seeking a guaranteed fee exceeding £120 million for Anderson.
Forest are reportedly determined to secure a record fee for Anderson, aiming to make him the most expensive midfielder in Premier League history, surpassing Declan Rice and Moises Caicedo. This stance has prompted City to explore alternative options, with Tonali emerging as a strong candidate. Romano reports that City have “really, really appreciated” Tonali, and his name has been on their shortlist for some time.
Meanwhile, Manchester United have also cooled their interest in Anderson, despite having agreed personal terms with the player. Sources indicate that United are unwilling to engage in a bidding war with City and are hesitant to pay a premium for a player who reportedly favoured a move to the Etihad Stadium. This shift in strategy has led them to focus on other midfield targets, including Mateus Fernandes of West Ham, Alex Scott of Bournemouth, and now potentially Tonali.
The change in direction at United may align with manager Michael Carrick’s preferences, with reports suggesting that Tonali was his primary midfield target all along. The club’s hierarchy, influenced by INEOS, initially favoured Anderson, creating a divergence in opinion. However, with City potentially withdrawing from the pursuit of Anderson, Tonali could become available, potentially satisfying both Carrick’s desires and United’s revised transfer strategy.
Newcastle United, who value Tonali at around £100 million, could be forced to consider a sale despite recently securing funds from Anthony Gordon’s transfer to Barcelona. The situation is fluid, with several other English clubs, including Arsenal, also expressing interest in the Italy international. The coming days and weeks are expected to be decisive as both Manchester clubs weigh their options and navigate the complexities of the summer transfer window.
