
Pep Guardiola looks to bolster his midfield with the Italian international as Newcastle weigh up sales to comply with Financial Fair Play.
Fresh off the successful debut of Antoine Semenyo, who stunned fans with two goals in his first match, Manchester City are not slowing down in the transfer market. The Premier League champions have reportedly set their sights on Newcastle United’s midfield anchor, Sandro Tonali.
Newcastle’s FFP Dilemma According to The Telegraph, Tonali’s future at St. James’ Park is far from certain. Despite being a cornerstone of Eddie Howe’s project, Newcastle are currently walking a tightrope with Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations. To avoid potential points deductions or sanctions, the Magpies may be forced to sacrifice one of their highest-valued assets before the window shuts.
The Race for the Italian Maestro Manchester City have already made formal contact to inquire about Tonali’s availability. While no official bid has been submitted, the Italian’s tactical discipline and passing range are highly regarded by Pep Guardiola.
However, City face stiff competition:
- Chelsea: The Blues are reportedly the primary rivals in the race, looking to add Tonali to their young, high-energy midfield.
- Juventus: The Italian giants are also monitoring the situation and have already signaled their intent to bring the former AC Milan man back to Serie A.

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Strategic Reinforcement For City, the pursuit of Tonali represents a desire to maintain their squad’s elite standard. With the team already performing at a high level, adding a “big name” like the 25-year-old Italian would provide crucial depth for the Champions League knockout stages and the Premier League title race.
The coming days will be decisive. If Newcastle decides to green-light a sale to balance their books, a bidding war between Manchester City and Chelsea is almost guaranteed.

Siara Costa is a football editor and writer covering both European men’s and women’s football, with a focus on league competitions, match coverage, and in-depth storytelling.
