Newcastle United will demand a fee of at least €100 million for midfielder Sandro Tonali this summer, with Manchester United showing significant interest in the Italian international, according to a report from TuttoJuve. The 25-year-old has been identified by the Old Trafford hierarchy as a potential replacement for the departing Casemiro, and club officials are expected to intensify their pursuit once the transfer window opens in June.
It is reported that Newcastle are open to selling Tonali to raise funds for their own squad rebuilding, but their substantial valuation could prove a major obstacle for Manchester United. The Premier League giants are aiming to sign two new central midfielders in the upcoming window, in addition to a left winger, and a nine-figure outlay on a single player would significantly impact their remaining budget. Tonali joined Newcastle from AC Milan in the summer of 2023 for a fee reported to be around €70 million and has since established himself as a key figure in their engine room.
In a separate development, Manchester United appear set to miss out on another midfield target, Elliot Anderson, to rivals Manchester City. According to The Daily Mail, several of Anderson's Nottingham Forest teammates believe the 21-year-old is "destined" for a move to the Etihad this summer. United had earmarked Anderson as a top target, but City are poised to engage in advanced talks with Forest once the club's Premier League safety is secured.
Further forward, Marcus Rashford is reportedly doing everything possible to facilitate a permanent move to Barcelona. Mundo Deportivo reports that the England international, currently on loan at the Catalan club, is prepared to return to the negotiating table to further reduce his wage demands in order to ease the financial burden on Barcelona. The La Liga side have an option to sign him for €30 million this summer, but his salary has been the major stumbling block. Rashford is said to be "confident" the move will be completed and that his "immediate plans do not involve playing for Manchester United again."
United's midfield search also extends to Brighton's Carlos Baleba, according to journalist Nicolo Schira. The club had agreed personal terms with the 20-year-old last summer before Brighton rejected their bid, but the Seagulls are now understood to be open to a sale. However, Baleba is no longer considered United's primary target. Meanwhile, interim manager Michael Carrick has dismissed speculation that the club will seek a new central defender, telling reporters it is "not an area of concern" despite links to players like Everton's Jarrad Branthwaite.
