Manchester United have two Newcastle stars on their shopping list this summer, with Sandro Tonali not the only Magpie they are looking at.
There is expected to be significant investment at Old Trafford during the transfer window after their return to the Champions League.
Under the leadership of Michael Carrick the Red Devils finished third in the Premier League and will be back in Europe’s biggest competition next season.
Having not competed in Europe at all over the last campaign and after early defeats in domestic cup competitions, the Manchester United squad was not really stretched at all and they did well in the league as that was the only focus after Carrick took over in January.
The countdown is on
Our seven-day guide to the World Cup is live. 48 teams, 104 games, 1104 players – we’ve got everything you need to know. Sign up now.
That will not be the case next season and the Red Devils squad will need boosting in a number of areas.
Two of the positions that need strengthening are central midfield and left-back, with Newcastle United players catching the eye in both those roles.
The Athletic report that Lewis Hall is one of the Red Devils’ targets at left-back, where they need to bring in support for Luke Shaw.
21-year-old Hall joined Newcastle from Chelsea in the summer of 2023, initially on loan but the move became permanent a year later.
The England international made 46 appearances last season and was unlucky to miss out on Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup squad.
Luke Shaw played every Premier League game for Manchester United last season, but there is little support behind him at left-back and someone will have to be brought in.
The report states that Newcastle are not keen to let Hall go, though, and would not do so for less than £50m, which may put the Red Devils off, with their main focus on central midfield this summer.
Tonali is one of those players they are looking at in the middle of the park, along with the likes of Elliot Anderson, Adam Wharton and Atalanta’s Ederson.
Newcastle’s asking price will be an issue for Tonali as well, with the Italy international likely to cost much closer to £100m than £50m.
The Magpies are not in need of selling any more of their best players after Anthony Gordon signed for Barcelona in a deal worth just shy of £70m.
Arsenal have also been credited with interest in Tonali, who is under contract at St James’ Park until 2029, with the option of a further year.