‘Ideal’ – Man Utd tipped to sign £85m star ahead of Arsenal and Tottenham

Michael Carrick has been backed to lure Sandro Tonali to Manchester United despite heavy interest from Tottenham and Arsenal.

Tonali has been a vital cog in Eddie Howe’s midfield in recent seasons, but appears poised to leave the club this summer after Newcastle failed to qualify for the Champions League.

And despite finishing 17th in the Premier League last season, it is Tottenham who are currently leading the charge to sign the Italian as they look to complete an audacious deal to bolster Roberto De Zerbi’s midfield.

Spurs have already seen an opening offer of £75million dismissed by Newcastle, but are said to be confident that they can strike a deal for £85m.

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However, additional reports suggest that Tonali would favour a move to Tottenham’s arch-rivals Arsenal, who have been repeatedly linked with the Italian midfielder.

Despite all that, though, former Red Devils defender Gary Pallister believes United can still win the race to sign Tonali and believes the Italian would be ‘ideal’ for Carrick’s midfield.

‘We don’t know how much money the Manchester United board will give Michael Carrick to spend,’ Pallister told Metro via Spreadex Sports.

‘Carrick may well have to sell some players before he can start bringing new ones in, but if you want to take this team to the next level, then two or three players are needed especially with Casemiro having already left. He was very important to how Carrick wanted to play last year.

‘Tonali would be an ideal signing. He’s a player you can see doing well for Manchester United but it will be difficult to prise him away from Newcastle.

‘Arsenal and Tottenham both want him but I have a suspicion that United could still get it over the line.’

Pallister continued: ‘Tonali is a proven Premier League player and that counts for a lot.

‘We saw that last season when United signed Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, whereas Benjamin Sesko who came across from the Bundesliga still has a lot to prove but he’s learning and getting better.

‘I’m sure Michael Carrick will have a wish list that he’s given to the Old Trafford chiefs. It’s a case of what the club can do and which players they can attract and which players they can offload.’

United have already moved quickly to sign Atalanta’s Ederson for Carrick, but reports suggest the club are keen to sign at least one more central midfielder to bolster their options.

West Ham star Mateus Fernandes was a name high up on United’s wishlist, but the 21-year-old is also weighing up a move to Tottenham.

But, speaking exclusively to Metro earlier in the transfer window, former Red Devils striker Michael Owen urged United to do everything they can to land Fernandes.

‘Personally, if I was Michael Carrick, if I were Manchester United, I’d be getting Fernandes from West Ham,’ Owen said, ‘I think he’s very good. I think he’s exactly what they need.

‘I watched him a lot. I think he’s a very good pick. He’s reasonably young which is another massive tick. If you’re going to be spending 80 to 100 million then you don’t want to be buying someone that’s in their late 20s.

‘I could see him and Kobbie Mainoo forming a great partnership in there.’

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