Man Utd receive Sandro Tonali transfer update with £35m deal 'almost sorted'

Sandro Tonali is attracting plenty of interest this summer (Image: Getty)

Manchester United are reportedly ditching their pursuit of Sandro Tonali, as they believe the combined cost of a deal would be too high. United were said to have earmarked the Italian as a top transfer target, with Tonali expected to leave Newcastle this summer.

However, United aren’t alone in their interest of the midfielder, with Tottenham another side said to be keen. So much so, the north Londoners submitted an £80million bid over the weekend, but Newcastle have demanded more money.

And it’s the cost of the prospective deal that is said to be putting United off their endeavours. As per the Mirror, the 20-time English champions believe the combined cost of Tonali’s wages and transfer fee is not value for money and will look elsewhere.

Newcastle are believed to want at least £100m to let Tonali leave, with the 26-year-old having joined in 2023 for a reported £55m. The Magpies are keen to maximise their profit on the Tonali deal, with Manchester City also said to be in discussions.

By contrast, United appear to have snatched a bargain with the £35m transfer of Ederson from Atalanta. The midfielder is currently on World Cup duty with Brazil, but is expected to complete his move to United in due course.

Speaking to Tuttosport after Brazil’s 3-0 win over Haiti at the World Cup, Ederson said: “It’s practically almost all sorted. I have to make the most of this moment. I am here, and it is a wonderful thing, something you must always live to the fullest.”

Manchester United v Newcastle United - Premier League

Man Utd believe the Sandro Tonali deal is too expensive (Image: Getty)

United identified midfield as an area they wanted to improve heading into the summer, with Elliot Anderson having also been on their wishlist. It would appear the finances involved also put United off signing him, with attention having turned to alternative targets.

One of those is Mateus Fernandes, the West Ham United star who impressed during the previous campaign, despite the Hammers’ relegation. It’s claimed West Ham value Fernandes at £80m, but the expectation is any deal will be at a lower cost, given the capital club’s recent relegation.

United, who have already appointed Michael Carrick as the club’s permanent manager, will have at least eight extra matches to contend with this summer. Their eagerly-awaited return to the Champions League will bulk up a fixture list that only contained 40 matches across all competitions last season.

Read Next Article