Manchester United Pull Out of Tonali Deal Over Cost

Manchester United have pulled out of a summer deal for tonali after deciding Sandro Tonali is too expensive. The move leaves their midfield rebuild focused elsewhere, with the club still needing at least two new midfielders and maybe three before the window closes. Tonali had been on their shortlist for some time, but the stance changed now.

Romano on United's Tonali call

Fabrizio Romano said Manchester United are not going for Sandro Tonali at this stage. He added that the club's intention is not to proceed, despite long-standing interest in the Newcastle midfielder.

Romano also said Manchester United believe Tonali is too expensive. That ends the clearest route to a move that had kept him in the frame while the club mapped out a wider summer rebuild.

Ederson leads the rebuild

Ederson is set to become Manchester United's first new signing of the summer, and Romano said all documents had been signed between United and Atalanta. An initial unofficial medical for Ederson already took place with Atalanta's authorisation, and the agreement between the player and the club had been in place for months.

The sequence matters because United are not stopping at one midfield addition. They want at least two new midfielders and maybe three, while also prioritising a left-back and a left-winger. Ederson is the first piece, not the finish.

Elliot Anderson and Mateus Fernandes

Nottingham Forest's Elliot Anderson and West Ham's Mateus Fernandes now appear to be United's top targets to follow up the Ederson signing. Alan Shearer said Tonali's route to Manchester United could depend on whether United get Anderson.

Shearer called Anderson the number one target for both City and Manchester United, and said that if a player makes it clear he wants to leave, a club can accept that and try to get the best possible price. For United, that leaves Tonali on the outside of the plan unless the rest of the midfield market shifts again.