Bruno Fernandes steps in as Man Utd eye up stunning move for Newcastle's Sandro Tonali

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Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes is said to have endorsed a move for Sandro Tonali as interest in the Newcastle midfielder continues to grow.

A seismic summer is looming for the Red Devils, who will make overhauling their midfield a priority alongside appointing a new head coach and bolstering other areas of a playing squad who have been revitalised under the guidance of interim head coach, Michael Carrick .

United have already been linked with a horde of top midfielders, some of whom belong to Premier League rivals, including Tonali , who caught the eye with a blockbuster goal for Italy in their World Cup play-off triumph over Northern Ireland on Thursday night.

And The Mail claim that Fernandes has 'added his support' to the idea of the club making a move for the Newcastle playmaker in the summer transfer window.

The report adds that Fernandes has been impressed by the 25-year-old since he arrived in the Premier League and that Tonali is expected to become United's top midfield target ahead of Nottingham Forest's Elliot Anderson and Brighton's Carlos Baleba between now and the summer.

Tonali was linked with a shock move to Arsenal on the final day of the winter transfer window and speculation over his future continues to grow louder, with other clubs now being credited with an interest in the former AC Milan man.

His agent, Giuseppe Riso, denied suggestions that his client had been offered to the Gunners at the time. However, comments he made earlier this month has since implied that he expects Tonali's situation could change if he has a positive World Cup with Italy.

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"That was the goal from the moment he went to England – to try to make him a star player," Rossi said. "I think he's the Italian footballer with one of the highest values in the world .

"If he shines at the World Cup, will Man City or Arsenal be hot on his heels? I don't know, but it's very likely.

"Everyone is waiting for the World Cup; then a thousand scenarios will unfold, but it all kicks off after the World Cup."

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With some of United's domestic rivals also in the market for a central midfielder this summer, competition is likely to be fierce for any of the names United are keen on.

Manchester City are known to be keen on Anderson, who is likely to command a price tag of at least £80million from Nottingham Forest . Brighton demanded more than £100m for Baleba last summer, too, when United enquired about the Cameroon international, although his stock has fallen as a result of a challenging 2025-26 campaign.

Intriguingly, United have also been credited with an interest in Tonali's Toon Army team-mate, Bruno Guimaraes. Like Tonali, he is also attracting attention and Newcastle could be vulnerable to bids if they fail to qualify for Europe.