Manchester United has rejected a sky-high bid for Tonali, believing he is not worth £100 million! A backup goalkeeper willing to take a pay cut to leave for £5 million

Manchester United is not intending to pay £100 million for Newcastle’s Sandro Tonali in this summer’s transfer window; similarly, the club probably won’t pay that sum for any midfielders such as Nottingham Forest’s Elliott Anderson, Crystal Palace’s Adam Hložek, or Brighton’s Carlos Baleba.

Newcastle has struggled in the Premier League this season and is likely to miss out on European competition, so the 26-year-old Tonali is considered a candidate to move to a Champions League club. Manchester United is rumored to be one of the potential destinations, with Carrick’s team currently positioned in the Premier League’s Champions League spots.

Tonali scored twice last weekend in the FA Cup against Aston Villa, helping his team come from behind to win 3-1 and advance. This increased attention on his transfer rumors, but according to English media, Newcastle is demanding £100 million for him! The Magpies have Tonali under contract until 2029, with an option to extend for an additional year.

When Tonali was suspended for betting illegally on his own team to win, Newcastle did not turn their back on him but instead extended his contract. Now, they expect Tonali to repay their trust by staying at St James’ Park or by bringing in the transfer fee they desire. The club originally paid €70 million to sign Tonali from AC Milan, so they naturally want a high price for his sale.

Newcastle still holds the upper hand and faces no pressure to sell the Italian international midfielder. Manchester United has every chance to qualify for next season’s Champions League and possesses some financial strength, but that does not mean Sir Jim Ratcliffe will agree to a £100 million blockbuster signing.

“Football Insider” reports that Sir Jim would not pay such a high fee for a player approaching 26 years old. Transfer fees like those for Mbemba and Cunha are more in line with what he seeks. Former Manchester City financial advisor Stefan Borsen commented: “Manchester United definitely will not do this, that’s certain, especially since Tonali turns 26 this May. They won’t pay £100 million for him even if they had the money. If United qualify for the Champions League, their budget would be quite generous, but that’s not the strategy Sir Jim would choose.”

In fact, a defensive midfielder is rarely worth £100 million unless very young. Borsen added: “I don’t think anyone would pay £100 million for Tonali; if a club does, I wouldn’t understand them. He is a good player, but definitely not worth £100 million.”

He further explained: “Nowadays, too many players are valued at £100 million, but in reality, very few truly deserve that price or can be sold for it. Such cases are extremely rare and require players to have exceptional qualities. Also, there must be competition driving up the price. For example, the top forwards, like Isak last season. Tonali is just one of many good midfielders, and at almost 26 years old, he simply doesn’t merit £100 million.”

Manchester United also has the chance to increase their transfer budget by selling players, with backup goalkeeper Alphonse Areola among those available. Turkish clubs such as Besiktas have shown interest in the 27-year-old keeper, having approached United during the January transfer window, but the club declined.

Reports indicate that Manchester United will wait until this summer to consider selling players, and then the club will not ask for a high price; £5 million would be enough for Areola, a figure similar to what the club paid when signing him in 2023. Sources say Areola is willing to accept a salary reduction to return to the Turkish league — his current salary at United is around £3 million per year, and he would accept about £2 million annually after the transfer.