Manchester City may be in the box seat to sign an Italian midfielder

Manchester City may be in the box seat to sign an Italian midfielder One clear goal for Manchester City this summer in the transfer market is to strengthen their midfield . City’s engine room does need more quality added to it given that certain signings haven’t panned out as hoped and Bernardo Silva has left the club. One player who has been heavily linked as a City transfer target is Newcastle United’s combative and silky midfielder Sandro Tonali. The Italian international is a proven Premier League performer and has the quality and pedigree to slot into Manchester City’s midfield. A new report indicates that Tonali’s preferred option is a move to the Etihad if he cannot return to Italy. So City could be in the box seat to sign Sandro Tonali. Sandro Tonali reportedly prefers a summer move to Manchester City if he cannot return to Italy. Graeme Bailey has provided another update on the situation surrounding Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali for TeamTalk . Bailey reports that Tonali prefers a move back to Italy with former club AC Milan his ideal destination. But that move is considered unlikely due to Newcastle’s asking price to sell the Italian international. Furthermore, Bailey reports that Tonali’s camp explained the situation to clubs interested in signing Tonali. Manchester City, Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea and Tottenham were made aware of Tonali’s wish. Despite this, City have retained their interest in signing Tonali while other clubs, excluding Tottenham, have seemingly cooled their interest in moving for him. Graeme Bailey reports that Sandro Tonali is giving serious thought to a move to Manchester City. Furthermore, Bailey reports that Tonali is impressed by the project that City have put forward to the Italian midfielder. Also, it is reported that Manchester City’s long-term plan for Tonali and the support structure available to Tonali’s family has seen him give serious thought to a move to the FA Cup and Carabao Cup winners. Lastly, Bailey reports that Manchester City aren’t put off by Newcastle United’s £100 million asking price for Sandro Tonali. City has seemingly pitched their case to Sandro Tonali. It would seem highly unlikely that Sandro Tonali will get his wish and move back to Italy. AC Milan or any other interested Serie A club is unlikely to have the financial power to meet Newcastle’s demands. It would seem that Tonali’s wish to return to Italy hasn’t put off Manchester City from moving for him. Instead, City have pulled out all of the stops to show Tonali what life could be like if he moved to the club. On the pitch, there is a clear role for Sandro Tonali at Manchester City. City are desperate for elite midfielders. Tonali is exactly that. Also, doubts remain over Rodri’s long-term future at City. Tonali could come in to learn from Rodri for a year before taking his place. Also, Tonali could play with Rodri and Elliot Anderson, if Anderson signs for City, and form a lethal midfield trio. Outside of that, Manchester City have created an environment where players thrive. City have an elite support network around their players. They have nothing to want for and this would be of great benefit to Sandro Tonali. Rhe support network that City can offer the family of the Italian international is also a strong selling point for City in their bid to sign Tonali. In terms of offering an elite environment to play in, Manchester City are almost at the top of the class in this regard. Based on Graeme Bailey’s report, City have made this clear to Sandro Tonali. If Sandro Tonali does move on from Newcastle this summer, and remain in the Premier League, Manchester City looks to be his preferred destination. City can offer Tonali what many other clubs cannot and perhaps now the race to sign Tonali is heavily tilted in Manchester City’s favour.