Manchester United urged to outbid Spurs with £100m offer for Sandro Tonali

Manchester United are being urged to outbid Tottenham Hotspur for midfielder Sandro Tonali, with a £100 million offer reportedly on the table from Spurs, as Paul Scholes highlighted the need for United to act decisively to bolster their midfield ahead of next season.

Earlier discussions took place between Arsenal and Tonali’s representatives in January, but Tottenham have since taken the lead in the pursuit of the Newcastle United player. The north London club has reportedly reached personal terms with Tonali, who has been identified as a key target by their manager Roberto De Zerbi.

Tottenham’s initial £75 million bid for Tonali was rejected, and reports on Saturday revealed their readiness to return with an enhanced offer of £100 million. This sum would shatter Spurs’ current transfer record of £65 million, which was spent on Dominic Solanke, positioning Tonali as the centerpiece of their midfield strategy.

In addition to Tottenham, Manchester City are also competing for Tonali’s signature despite having agreed a £116 million deal for Elliot Anderson. Meanwhile, Manchester United have secured a £35 million deal for Ederson from Atalanta and are considering further midfield reinforcements this summer.

Scholes, a revered figure at Old Trafford, has publicly endorsed Tonali as the ideal candidate to strengthen United’s midfield. Speaking to Sky Sports, he said, “The centre of the pitch is a big problem for me. You don’t feel like something is happening either, there’s nothing, there are no rumours.”

He added, “I’ve said it, I said it on the podcast [The Good, The Bad & The Football] six months ago, I love Tonali from Newcastle. It looks like a few clubs are in for him, including Tottenham. It doesn’t sound like we are in for him, but I think that would be… he knows the Premier League, he’s been with Newcastle for two or three years, obviously he had a year where he couldn’t play, but I think he’s a top-class midfield player.”

Challenges in Manchester United’s transfer plans

Recent confirmations indicate that Tonali prefers a move to Tottenham despite the club’s recent difficulties. The appointment of De Zerbi as manager has been influential in attracting players like Tonali. Additionally, Tottenham have secured West Ham’s Mateus Fernandes, representing a significant setback for Manchester United’s recruitment ambitions.

Manchester United are also pursuing Borussia Dortmund’s Felix Nmecha and Bournemouth’s Alex Scott as midfield options. However, with Bournemouth unwilling to sell Scott, Nmecha emerges as the more probable signing for the Red Devils. Sources have confirmed that inquiries regarding Nmecha’s availability have been made.