- Craig Hope reports keen Man Utd interest in Tonali
- Italian top of list heading into the summer
- Newcastle rubbish ‘gentleman’s agreement’ reports
Craig Hope has reported that Manchester United are expected to make a formal approach for Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali. A move is set to be first on the agenda for the Red Devils when the summer window opens.
Manchester United have made the Italian their number one midfield priority. Other names on the list include the likes of boyhood Newcastle fan Elliott Anderson and Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton.
The Magpies’ midfield general has been the subject of a mass of speculation, alongside captain Bruno Guimaraes, in recent days. Newcastle are reluctant to lose such an important player. They are, however, aware that their hand may be forced should another Isak-type situation arise.
No Europe, No Tonali
The next step for Tonali largely depends on the fate of Eddie Howe’s men this season.
Should the club secure European football, there will be a much greater possibility that the Italian continues his journey in black and white going forward.
However, it is no surprise to see the reports about a possible next destination breaking in tandem with a poor week for the Magpies.
An unflattering 7-2 spanking at the hands of European giants Barcelona in the Champions League. Followed by a mightily inadequate performance against bitter rivals Sunderland and it is an uphill battle for the Toon to make anything of this season.
If Newcastle are to miss out on another European adventure, Tonali will almost certainly be heading for the exit door. If not involved in a damaging saga that could have longer-term consequences for the Magpies.
Newcastle & Tonali Gentleman’s Agreement?
Coinciding with the Manchester United links, there have been reports of a gentleman’s agreement between the player and Newcastle.
The talk is that Tonali will be allowed to leave the club this summer if European qualification slips from their grasp.
But, as has become the norm for Newcastle in recent history, those reports are fabricated. Much compatible with the saga of Alexander Isak, in which an agreement was reported but never confirmed.
As Luke Edwards reported yesterday, the club has been quick to brief the media. They have communicated that there is, in fact, no gentleman’s agreement on the table in any capacity.
Alongside this, there has been no confirmation that Tonali will definitely be at the club next season, nor anything concrete to suggest the Italian is looking for a move.
Furthermore, there has not been any contact between Newcastle and any other club regarding Tonali’s availability this summer. This means that, to this point, all the adamances around his departure are merely fantasy.
Time to go, Tonali
In light of the recent interest, there has been a rather heavy dusting of Newcastle fans making their feelings known. Interestingly enough, most are rather content with the idea of losing their energetic middleman.
Tonali hasn’t exactly set the Premier League alight this season thus far. He has struggled to show the form which made him a part of arguably the best midfield in the division.
In fact, there is an online discourse that Sandro has even begun to down tools in recent months. Whilst that is largely an unsubstantiated claim, it does offer insight into both fans’ opinions and the concerns surrounding his recent performances in black and white.
Should the club manage to facilitate a transfer for upwards of £80-90 million, brokering a deal seems almost a no-brainer given how that money could be reinvested in the squad.
