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  "path": "/2026/03/26/man-utd-make-formal-approach-80m-star-bruno-fernandes-endorsement-27688486/",
  "publishedAt": "2026-03-26T17:59:37.000Z",
  "site": "https://metro.co.uk",
  "tags": [
    "Football",
    "Sport",
    "Bruno Fernandes",
    "Manchester United",
    "Manchester United Transfer News",
    "Newcastle United",
    "Newcastle United Transfer News",
    "Premier League",
    "Sandro Tonali",
    "Transfer News and Rumours",
    "AC Milan",
    "Newcastle",
    "Carabao Cup",
    "Champions League",
    "Arsenal",
    "last-minute bid for Tonali at the end of January transfer window",
    "the Daily Mail",
    "will leave Old Trafford at the end of this season",
    "Sign up here",
    "suggest that a price tag of £80m",
    "check our sport page",
    "Facebook",
    "Twitter",
    "Instagram",
    "Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google\nAdd as preferred source"
  ],
  "textContent": "Bruno Fernandes has recommended one player to Manchester United (Picture: Getty)\n\nManchester United are set to make a ‘formal approach’ to sign Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali at the end of the season, according to reports.\n\nThe 25-year-old Italian has been one of the most influential players at St James’ Park since his arrival from AC Milan in 2023 for £55milion.\n\nTonali helped Newcastle win the Carabao Cup last season and was a key figure behind the club’s journey to the last-16 of the Champions League this campaign.\n\nAnd that form has not gone unnoticed by several top clubs, with Arsenal reportedly sounding out a last-minute bid for Tonali at the end of January transfer window only a few months ago.\n\nSpeculation over Tonali’s future is likely to ramp up once again in the coming months, with the Daily Mail reporting that the Italian is set to become United’s top target for a new central midfielder.\n\nThe Red Devils are also interested in Adam Wharton and Elliot Anderson, but are now expected to make a formal approach for Tonali as they hunt for a replacement for Casemiro, who will leave Old Trafford at the end of this season.\n\nThe report adds that a move for Tonali has even been endorsed by club captain Bruno Fernandes, who has been impressed by the midfielder’s performances under Eddie Howe.\n\n##  Your football fix\n\n**Metro** 's Head of Sport James Goldman delivers punchy analysis, transfer talk and his take on the week's biggest stories direct to your inbox every week.\n\nSign up here, it's an open goal.\n\nSandro Tonali is wanted by Manchester United (Picture: Shutterstock)\n\nWith three years left on Tonali’s contract – plus a club option to extend by a further 12 months – Newcastle will demand a sizeable fee to let go of one of their prized assets.\n\nAdditional reports suggest that a price tag of £80m has been slapped on the midfielder, who has missed just two league matches all season for the Magpies.\n\nSpeaking last month, Tonali’s agent Giuseppe Riso hinted that Newcastle may find it hard to keep hold of Tonali should they fail to qualify for the Champions League.\n\nUnited are on the hunt for a replacement for Casemiro (Picture: Getty)\n\n‘Newcastle are having a hard time letting go of Sandro, and he wants to lead the club to the Champions League,’ Riso said\n\n‘We’ll evaluate and decide what to do in the summer. These transfer discussions will take place later.\n\n‘We’ll see how the season ends and then we’ll decide what to do. There’s no preference at the moment.\n\n‘It’s still early. What we’re saying today won’t apply tomorrow. Newcastle couldn’t let him go now, and there’s no point in moving, especially since Sandro is very attached to the club.’\n\nAsked about Tonali’s future at the club, Newcastle boss Howe recently said: ‘The person that matters the most is Sandro. All I’ve ever seen from him is someone who is totally committed,’ Howe said.\n\n‘Very selfless at times, he’s here for the team, not for himself. Forget the noise around him, he’s just fully committed.’\n\n**For more stories like this, check our sport page**.\n\n**Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on**Facebook,** Twitter and Instagram**.\n\nComment now Comments \nAdd Metro as a Preferred Source on Google\nAdd as preferred source\n",
  "title": "Man Utd to make ‘formal approach’ for £80m star after Bruno Fernandes endorsement"
}