Man Utd among frontrunners for £100m star in fierce three-club Premier League transfer shootout

Manchester United are set to take part in a three-way battle with Arsenal and Manchester City for the transfer of a highly rated Premier League star this summer.

Having been confirmed as United’s head coach after guiding the side to a third-place finish and Champions League qualification following his appointment as interim boss in January, Michael Carrick has already claimed this summer transfer window is the “most important of all time”.

Carrick and United’s hierarchy – made up of CEO Omar Berrada, Director of Football Jason Wilcox and co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe – will be keen to ensure their summer dealings are as successful as last year’s, with Berrada saying the “template” from the summer of 2025 will be “replicated” this time around.

United signed Matheus Cunha, Senne Lammens, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko last summer, with all four making important contributions during the 2025/26 campaign.

And with United set to fight on four fronts – the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup – they are keen to bolster both the quality and depth of their squad.

The club continue to be linked with several players, including Premier League stars Morgan Rogers and Iliman Ndiaye.

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United have already agreed to sign Brazilian midfielder Ederson from Atalanta for £35 million, with the 26-year-old set to pen a four-year deal, with the option of a further year.

However, it has been widely reported that United are keen to sign two midfielders, a left winger and a left-back, while also potentially bringing in both a striker and a centre-back.

So, who could the second midfielder be?

According to reports from Italian outlet La Gazzetta dello Sport, United have emerged as one of the frontrunners to sign Newcastle and Italy midfielder Sandro Tonali this summer.

The Magpies have reportedly set an asking price of nearly £100 million and “won’t let him go easily”.

The Italian, who is under contract until 2028, has become a pivotal player for Eddie Howe since his arrival from AC Milan in 2023, registering 10 goals and 10 assists, while also playing a key role in Newcastle’s 2025 Carabao Cup-winning side.

Arsenal and Manchester City are also interested, although City are prioritising Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson after seeing an initial bid rejected.

Sandro Tonali’s agent on transfer rumours

Earlier this year, Tonali’s agent, Giuseppe Riso, suggested that signing for one of the Premier League’s top six clubs was “the goal” from the moment the midfielder arrived in England.

Speaking to Calcio e Finanza, when asked whether Tonali could sign for Arsenal or Manchester City, he said: “Exactly, that was the goal from the moment he went to England: to try to make him a star player. I think he's the Italian footballer with one of the highest values in the world.”