Manchester United legend Bryan Robson has singled out the major roadblock that Ineos face in trying to sign Italy midfielder Sandro Tonali from Newcastle.
Sandro Tonali has been linked with Manchester United in recent months amid the Red Devils’ pursuit of a new midfielder in the forthcoming summer window.
The 25-year-old Italian midfielder has been namechecked as one potential option, with the likes of Adam Wharton and Elliot Anderson attracting interest as well.
Man Utd are set to lose Casemiro at the end of the 2025-26 Premier League campaign and the Red Devils will explore options to replace the Brazilian midfielder.
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Why Bryan Robson cannot see Man Utd succeeding in their transfer pursuit of Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali
Newcastle have reportedly slapped a hefty £70m to £80m price tag on Sandro Tonali amid Manchester United’s continued transfer links with the Italy international.
However, the Red Devils are not alone in their interest in Tonali, who has also emerged on the transfer radar of Premier League side Manchester City.
Tonali is under contract with Newcastle until 2028 and Bryan Robson cannot see the Magpies sanctioning a sale of the former AC Milan midfielder at any cost right now.
“Well, when people are talking about Tonali, I just can’t understand why Newcastle would allow him to leave,” he told Sam Allardyce on the No Tippy Tappy Football podcast.
“So, you’ve got him, there’s got to be somebody out there in Europe or South America with the Brazilians, the Argentinians, who’s got to be a really good player.
“There’s always great players from that side of the world.”
How do you really feel about Man United’s Sandro Tonali interest?
Is he who we need in midfield?🇮🇹
Bryan Robson thinks Ineos need to look beyond Sandro Tonali and tap into Man Utd’s scouting network
United legend Robson does not believe that the Red Devils are limited for midfield transfer options, so long as Ineos effectively tap into the club’s scouting network.
The 69-year-old iconic former Man Utd captain feels that the scouting must be perfect in the summer, including bringing in the ‘right’ profile of players for the manager.
“So, the scouts have got to do their job, and when you’re replacing them, that’s what we’ve not been good with over the last few years,” Robson added.
“Until last summer, when we got some really good players in. But the scouting’s got to be better to help the manager, to bring top-class players in, because that’s what Man United need, a few more top-class players to get to where we want to be.”
Tonali, who has been at Newcastle since 2023 after his AC Milan exit, has made 48 appearances across all competitions for the Magpies in the 2025-26 campaign.
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