Man Utd identify £55m midfielder as prime target to replace Casemiro - report

Manchester United have put Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali high on their shortlist to replace Casemiro during the summer transfer window, according to The Telegraph.

The Italian’s future is uncertain with the Magpies amid their unconvincing Premier League form. The club are 12th in the standings with 33 points, 10 adrift of a potential Champions League spot.

The Magpies may have to win the competition to qualify next season. Amidst this, his agent Giuseppe Riso has talked up a possible exit. The midfielder’s future could be assessed during the summer.

The Telegraph claim that Tonali is high on United’s shortlist to replace Casemiro, who is confirmed to depart when his contract expires at the end of June.

United are not alone in the player’s pursuit. Arsenal were linked on transfer deadline day this month, while Manchester City have tracked him in the past.

Newcastle signed the talented midfielder from AC Milan for £55 million in the summer of 2023, and it could take at least £100m to prise him away this year.

Tonali wants the guarantee of Champions League football at his next club.

Tonali may not be the right fit for Man Utd

The 25-year-old has been with the Magpies for the last three seasons. When available for selection, he has been an undisputed starter for the Tyneside outfit under manager Eddie Howe.

Despite this, we are not convinced that he would provide an upgrade on Casemiro. The Brescia graduate has operated as a holding midfielder this term. His statistics are not quite impressive.

He averages 37 passes per league appearance with an accuracy of 86 percent. The Italian midfielder has won only 3.3 duels per match alongside four recoveries and one tackle.

United need someone who can control proceedings in the centre of the park with strong distribution and defensive attributes. Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson appears a much better fit.

The 23-year-old has completed 57 passes per outing with a similar accuracy. However, the Englishman has been brilliant defensively with eight duels and three tackles won alongside eight recoveries.

He would provide better value for money than Tonali, in our opinion. Newcastle’s Bruno Guimaraes would be a good solution for United too, but the Brazilian’s age (28) could be a deal breaker.

United may ideally want a young defensive midfielder who can make the position his own over the next five years and provide future resale value.

It should be an exciting summer for the Red Devils, who are in a brilliant position to qualify for the Champions League with a five-point lead over sixth-placed Liverpool in the top-flight.

Fifth place could be enough to qualify for the elite competition for the 2026/27 season, given the strong success of English clubs in Europe. All nine of them have made the knockout phase.

Stats from Transfermarkt.com & Sofascore.com

Article written by Sri Aswin .