Man Utd now "ready" to spend £70m to sign 25yo midfielder
Manchester United are poised to bolster their midfield department during the summer transfer window.
The Red Devils have had a good turnaround under interim manager Michael Carrick. They are presently third in the Premier League with 55 points.
The club are seven points clear of sixth-placed Chelsea and look in a strong position to return to the Champions League next season.
This will coincide with a huge spending spree, and the focus could be on the midfield, with Casemiro set to leave on a free transfer.
Italian outlet Il Giornale (page 30) today claim that Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali could pursue a new challenge in the summer.
A package of £87 million would be required to sign the former AC Milan star.
Arsenal and Manchester United hold a ‘strong interest’ in his services, and both clubs are ‘ready’ to spend around £61-70m to purchase him.
Man Utd may not pursue a deal for Tonali
The 25-year-old’s future has been a regular topic of speculation this year.
He has witnessed the Magpies’ struggles in the league and is likely to have his sights set on playing Champions League football and winning potential silverware.
United have been mentioned as suitors, but Tonali may not be a perfect successor to Casemiro.
He averages only 37 passes per game with an accuracy of 85 percent. The Italian is not necessarily strong in challenges, having won just three duels per appearance.
The Brescia graduate has a tireless work rate and likes to press opponents, but he still has the knack of losing possession or being caught out of position at times.
United ideally need someone who can provide better control from the heart of the midfield.
Meanwhile, Casemiro has netted seven league goals this term. In comparison, Tonali has managed only five goals from 73 league appearances during his time at Newcastle.
The Magpies will no doubt hold for £87m or more to sell him. For such a hefty fee, United should pursue a strong ball-playing midfielder who can make goal contributions too.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com & Sofascore.com
Article written by Sri Aswin .