Carrick's Opening Gambit: Man Utd Chase £86m Tonali Deal Alongside Ederson Push

Michael Carrick is wasting no time stamping his authority on Manchester United's transfer strategy. Having been confirmed as permanent head coach last week, the new boss has already zeroed in on his opening target: Newcastle's Sandro Tonali.

According to Italian sources, Carrick has specifically identified the Italian midfielder as his first priority signing, and United are now pushing hard to get the deal across the line. The move comes even as the club simultaneously pursues Atalanta's Ederson, suggesting a summer of considerable midfield recruitment lies ahead.

The Tonali pursuit hinges on an intriguing clause buried in Newcastle's original deal with the midfielder. When the Magpies signed him for nearly €70 million, a gentleman's agreement was struck that would allow him to move to a top-six club should Newcastle fail to qualify for the Champions League—albeit at a significantly inflated price tag.

That valuation sits at approximately €100 million as a base, though negotiations may yet see the fee reduce to somewhere between €75-80 million with add-ons attached. Either way, it represents a substantial outlay that would make Tonali the most expensive Italian player in history.

Carrick's determination to land the Newcastle man appears unwavering regardless of progress on the Ederson front. The Atalanta midfielder, who has already agreed personal terms with United, has indicated his preference for a move to Old Trafford. His manager Raffaele Palladino acknowledged the situation diplomatically, noting that "such a major club following the player should be a source of pride" and confirming "something is going on in the transfer market."

Reports suggest the Ederson deal is approaching completion, with Atalanta bracing for another significant cash injection—a €50 million windfall following January's Lookman sale.

United's summer blueprint calls for reinforcements across multiple positions: at minimum, two midfielders, a left-back, and a left-winger. Landing both Tonali and Ederson would represent a serious statement of intent from Carrick's first transfer window in charge.