Man Utd target shock Newcastle deal as Tonali rumours heat up

Robin Bairner

24 Mar 2025 02:30 CDT
3 min read

Sandro Tonali, Newcastle, 2024/25 — © IMAGO

Manchester United are plotting a surprise summer raid on Eddie Howe’s Newcastle.

The Magpies are a club to watch in the summer if they fail to qualify for the Champions League, with Alexander Isak, Bruno Guimaraes and potentially even Sandro Tonali up for sale as the Carabao Cup winners fight to comply with the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR).

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Current ETV

Sandro Tonali

M (C)

Newcastle Utd.

Sandro Tonali

M (C)

Newcastle Utd.

ETV Range

€40.3M - €49.3M

Man Utd, though, are not targeting any of these leading stars but are instead following Sean Longstaff, according to The Chronicle.

With Tonali, Joelinton and Bruno Guimaraes all ahead of him in the pecking order, the 27-year-old is a player who could well depart should Newcastle retain all of their leading stars.

Longstaff is under contract until 2026, and this could be the final opportunity to Eddie Howe’s side to cash in on a player who came through the academy and could, therefore, be sold for pure profit.

Man Utd along with Everton are watching him, with Longstaff boasting an Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of €23.6 million.

© IMAGO - Man Utd target? Sean Longstaff has not been a big player for Newcastle this season

Newcastle hit back over Tonali rumours

Newcastle chiefs are willing to fight off interest from Barcelona in Sandro Tonali, meanwhile.

Rumours indicate that Barca are ready to bid around €60 million for the Italy international, who had been linked with the Blaugrana as early as 2020.

Mundo Deportivo states that Barcelona have sent scouts to follow the player this season.

© IMAGO - Sandro Tonali: Newcastle plan to fight off Barcelona bid

But The Chronicle indicates that there is no prospect of Newcastle commissioning a sale of the classy midfielder for anything short of an “astronomical bid”.

Howe intends to build his side around Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton.

Equally, this should be taken by Manchester United as a further sign that Longstaff could be available for transfer this summer, but it is unlikely to be a deal to placate the frustrated Old Trafford supporter, which is desperate to see a rapid improvement in the club’s fortunes.