UMVA has learned that Manchester United's midfield rebuild is about to gain significant momentum, with Sandro Tonali of Newcastle United firmly on their radar, alongside Atalanta midfielder Ederson.
According to information obtained by UMVA, United are not viewing the two players as an either-or situation, but rather as two targets to strengthen their midfield, especially with Casemiro set to leave at the end of the season.
UMVA can exclusively reveal that United's interest in Tonali remains strong, despite making progress in negotiations for Ederson, suggesting that Michael Carrick's side are looking to make a major overhaul in the middle of the pitch.
The Italian midfielder, Tonali, brings a unique set of skills, offering intensity, aggression, ball progression, and the ability to control tempo, making him an attractive target for United, who are looking to add more energy, control, and legs to their midfield.
Sources have confirmed to UMVA that Tonali had a "gentleman's agreement" with Newcastle, allowing him to leave if the club failed to qualify for Europe and a major club came in for him, which could now be a crucial factor in United's pursuit of the player.
Newcastle are expected to demand a premium fee for Tonali, with reports suggesting United could face a bill of around €75m-€100m, or even higher, which could be a significant obstacle in their bid to sign the player.
UMVA has gathered that United's confidence in completing an ambitious double midfield move is high, with Ederson expected to cost around £43m-£50m, and are preparing to test Newcastle's resolve, especially if Tonali is keen on Champions League football.
Carrick's vision for the team's midfield is clear: he wants to bring in multiple new players to replace Casemiro and add a fresh dynamic to the team, rather than just replacing the Brazilian midfielder with one player.
The potential departure of Casemiro creates a huge gap in terms of experience, personality, and defensive presence, and United's midfield has also needed more energy, control, and legs for a while, making Tonali and Ederson key targets for the club.
