Three Key Hurdles Must Clear Before Man Utd and Man City Move for Tonali and Anderson

Fabrizio Romano has identified three critical issues that Manchester United and Manchester City must address before pursuing their joint midfield targets this summer.

Both clubs have been tracking Newcastle's Sandro Tonali and Nottingham Forest's Elliot Anderson, with the competition for these players intensifying as the transfer window approaches. The situation has grown more pressing given the expected departures from their respective squads—Casemiro has already confirmed he will leave Old Trafford at season's end, while Manuel Ugarte could be sold if a satisfactory offer materialises for the Uruguayan midfielder.

Manchester City, meanwhile, faces the prospect of losing Rodri should Real Madrid press ahead with their pursuit of the Spanish playmaker.

Romano revealed that contact between Manchester United and Tonali's representatives has already occurred, with the Red Devils reaching out in February and March to gauge Newcastle's asking price and the player's circumstances. Arsenal have similarly made enquiries, while Manchester City continue to hold admiration for the Italian despite Anderson remaining their primary target. City's interest in signing multiple midfielders stems partly from Bernardo Silva's anticipated departure.

However, Romano stressed that Manchester United will not break the bank for Tonali should the valuation prove excessive. "If the price is right, he is a serious option, but they will not overspend," the transfer expert noted.

Three specific matters require resolution before either club can realistically move forward with concrete bids or agreements:

The financial demands remain uncertain, with both the transfer fees and wage expectations still to be finalised. Manchester United's managerial position hangs in the balance, with Michael Carrick awaiting confirmation of his appointment. Pep Guardiola's future at Manchester City, whilst currently stable, continues to warrant close attention.

"Both Manchester clubs admire the same two players, but there is still a long way to go before bids or agreements happen," Romano concluded, suggesting that despite the genuine interest, these moves remain firmly in their infancy.