Manchester United manager Michael Carrick has his sights on signing a Premier League midfielder this summer.
The Red Devils confirmed Carrick’s appointment on a permanent basis today, and he could have a big say on the summer spending spree.
According to reputed journalist Gianluca Di Marzio, Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali is the ‘first player’ that Carrick ‘specifically wants’.
Tonali has a gentleman’s agreement to leave the Magpies if they don’t qualify for the Champions League.
Newcastle value him at a staggering £86 million. Di Marzio reports that a deal could either cost £86m upfront or £65-69m plus add-ons.
United are reportedly pursuing a separate deal for Atalanta midfielder Ederson.
Tonali speculation could be agent-driven
The former AC Milan star was linked with a surprise move to Arsenal before the transfer deadline last winter. His agent personally offered him to the Gunners, but the Premier League champions did not make any contact with the Magpies.
Since then, Tonali’s representative has hinted that the Magpies may need Champions League football to keep the midfielder. With Newcastle unlikely to play in Europe next term, it won’t be a surprise if Tonali pushes for a move away from Tyneside.
Still, we are not convinced that United are weighing up a move for the 26-year-old. The Italian has chipped in with three goals and seven assists from 53 appearances as a holding midfielder this term.
That is a good return from the heart of the midfield, but his other statistics are pretty average. Tonali has completed just 84 percent of his passes and won only three duels per league appearance.
He is not strong at tackling either, with just one successful tackle per game. Another cause for concern is his tendency to lose the ball. He has lost possession on 11.3 occasions on average this season.
Based on those statistics, he won’t be an upgrade on the departing Casemiro. The £87m price tag does not justify his current ability. United would be better off signing Ederson alongside another alternative.
Ederson is available for £46m, and United seem on the cusp of landing his signature.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com & Sofascore.com
