Newcastle Eye Pellegrini as Tonali Exit Looms; City Favourites for Anderson

Newcastle United have positioned themselves as prime contenders to land AS Roma's Lorenzo Pellegrini in the forthcoming transfer window, according to reports emanating from Italy.

The Magpies' interest follows mounting speculation surrounding Sandro Tonali's future at St James' Park. January whispers linking the Italian midfielder with Arsenal proved to be nothing more than agent chatter, yet they've nonetheless fuelled talk of a summer exit for the 24-year-old.

With Tonali seemingly destined for the exit door, Newcastle are casting their net across Europe for midfield reinforcements. One name in the frame is Elliot Anderson, the Nottingham Forest midfielder who departed the northeast in 2024.

Yet Football Insider's Pete O'Rourke has poured cold water on Newcastle's hopes of repatriating Anderson. Manchester City hold pole position in the race for the England international, he claims, with Eddie Howe's side occupying a considerably lower rung on the ladder.

"Newcastle are down the pecking order in that race to sign Elliot Anderson," O'Rourke explained. "Eddie Howe's openly admitted he would love the opportunity to bring him back to the club, he didn't really want to sell him when they sold him to Nottingham Forest in 2024."

Anderson has flourished since his move to the City Ground, establishing himself as one of the Premier League's standout central midfielders. That form will see him courted by multiple suitors come summer, with City regarded as the frontrunners should he become available.

The journalist added: "Manchester City are regarded as the favourites for his signature if he does end up leaving Forest. I don't think Newcastle, especially if they've got no Champions League football to offer next season, will be in any position to offer (£100million) due to PSR, FFP, so it looks like one that's probably going to be beyond them in the summer transfer window."

Pellegrini, though, represents a more attainable target. The Roma captain has emerged as Newcastle's primary objective following an initial approach from West Ham, according to Italian outlet RomaGiallorossa.

Newcastle view the 31-year-old as the ideal successor to Tonali, offering both experience and immediate impact. The timing appears fortuitous: Pellegrini's contract expires in 2026, and negotiations over a new deal have stalled. Roma face a choice between selling now or risking losing him for nothing in twelve months' time.

"The English club's vision is clear: to focus on him as a potential successor to Sandro Tonali, whose future remains uncertain and who might even consider a return to Italy," the outlet reported. "In this scenario, Pellegrini would represent a ready, reliable solution with personality."

The contractual impasse surrounding Roma's number 7 opens the door for Newcastle to strike a deal this summer—provided, of course, they can navigate their own financial constraints and convince Pellegrini that the northeast represents his next destination.