Arsenal, Tottenham and Manchester City have all been linked with a move for Newcastle United star Sandro Tonali, while the Gunners are now eyeing one of his teammates
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.
Sources close to Tonali's representatives have described Man City as serious contenders to prise him away from Tyneside. Spurs had an £80million offer knocked back by Newcastle this month, with the Magpies holding out for a figure closer to £100m.
Tonali has agreed a wage structure in principle with Spurs worth £275,000-per-week on a lucrative six-year contract, which would also see his agency GR Sports pocket a 10% cut of the fee - terms that Man City could comfortably match. City are looking to replace Portugal star Bernardo Silva and seek cover for Spain ace Rodri, with Tonali having also been a target during the Pep Guardiola era.
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Man City have just splashed out £116m for Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest, but retain the financial firepower to launch another major move for Tonali.
The former AC Milan star was offered to Arsenal, but the Gunners were deterred by his wage demands and the eye-watering agent fees attached to the deal.
Arsenal have since shifted their focus towards Bruno Guimaraes, with the Brazil star having departed for the World Cup without putting pen to paper on a new contract, reports Chronicle Live.
Spurs will still fancy their chances of landing Tonali, but the prospect of joining a hungry Man City side keen to retain their title from Arsenal could prove an irresistible draw for the Italy international.
Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi is thought to share a strong bond with agent Giuseppe Riso, who has never been reluctant to hint that his client could depart Newcastle.
Speaking back in March regarding a potential move away from Tyneside to either Arsenal or Manchester City, 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.
"The deal came about because a club like Newcastle, with unlimited financial resources, had decided to invest in Sandro. We considered the idea of having the player play in a higher-level league."
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When quizzed on whether Newcastle would sanction a sale of Tonali this summer, chief executive 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."