Newcastle United braced for bidding war as Manchester City join Sandro Tonali transfer battle
Manchester City have entered the race to sign Sandro Tonali with Enzo Maresca keen to make an immediate impact as the club's new manager. The FA Cup and Carabao Cup holders have maintained their interest in the Newcastle midfielder with sources close to Tonali's management team describing Man City as genuine candidates to lure him from Tyneside.
Tottenham had an 80 million offer knocked back by Newcastle earlier this month with the Magpies holding out for a figure closer to 100 million. Tonali has agreed a wage structure in principle with Spurs of 275,000 per week on a lucrative six-year deal which will also see his agency GR Sports pick up a 10% cut of the fee, terms that Man City could easily match.
City are in the market to replace Portugal star Bernardo Silva and want cover for Spain ace Rodri, with Tonali a target during the Pep Guardiola era too. Man City have just splashed out 116 million for Geordie boy Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest but have the capacity to make another major swoop and sign Tonali.
The ex-AC Milan star was offered to Arsenal but the Gunners were put off by his wage demands and the eye-watering agent fees that came with the deal. For now Arsenal have turned their attention to Bruno Guimaraes with the Brazil star who jetted off for the World Cup without signing a new deal.
Spurs will still feel they are in the driving seat when it comes to Tonali but the lure of a hungry Man City outfit keen to retain their title from Arsenal will be a huge temptation for the Italy star. Tottenham boss and Tonali's agent Giuseppe Riso has never shied away from suggesting he could quit Newcastle. Speaking in March, Riso said: "Exactly that was the goal from the moment he went to England to try to make him a star player. I think he's the Italian footballer with one of the highest values in the world."
Newcastle CEO David Hopkinson stated three months ago: "We think through what players might or might not want to do this summer. But if an Isak-like scenario presents itself again any player under contract is going to leave on our terms and we're going to maximise the opportunity that might represent for the club."