Transfer Rumors, News: Arsenal, Man City, Man United All After Tonali

Newcastle United’s Sandro Tonali has emerged as the most coveted central midfielder in this summer’s Premier League arms race, with Arsenal, Manchester City and Manchester United all ready to test the Magpies’ resolve with offers approaching the £100 million mark, according to transfer reporter Nicolo Schira.

Tonali, 23, has become indispensable to Newcastle since his £55 million switch from AC Milan in 2023, dictating tempo and providing the platform for Eddie Howe’s high-energy system. Newcastle have privately informed suitors they will not enter negotiations unless the bidding reaches nine figures, a stance designed to deter the trio of English giants now circling St James’ Park.

Arsenal view the Italy international as the final piece in Mikel Arteta’s evolving midfield puzzle, believing Tonali’s positional intelligence and press-resistant passing could elevate the Gunners’ title challenge. Manchester City, meanwhile, are bracing for the departure of club captain Bernardo Silva and have identified Tonali as the ideal successor to knit together possession phases. Manchester United’s interest is equally concrete; Erik ten Hag’s side are pursuing a marquee midfield addition and have already registered a tentative enquiry for Tonali’s team-mate Bruno Guimarães, signalling serious intent to overhaul their engine room.

The potential auction sets up a summer tug-of-war that could shatter British transfer records for a player in the pivot role. Newcastle are under no pressure to sell, yet the sheer scale of the figures being discussed may force the club to weigh sporting ambition against financial prudence.

Arsenal are also accelerating plans at centre-back, receiving encouraging signals in the chase for RB Leipzig defender Castello Lukeba. Christian Falk reports that Bayern Munich have cooled their pursuit, clearing a path for the Premier League leaders. Lukeba, 23, is contracted until 2029 but is open to a new challenge, with Leipzig ready to consider offers around £52 million—well below the £69 million release clause written into his deal.

Elsewhere, Newcastle are eyeing Chelsea forward Liam Delap as a potential attacking reinforcement. The 23-year-old has found minutes hard to come by at Stamford Bridge following his move from Ipswich Town last summer, and with João Pedro preferred under Liam Rosenior, Chelsea are willing to listen to offers. Newcastle’s admiration dates back to Delap’s breakthrough 2025 Premier League campaign, when the Magpies attempted to prise him away from the Blues. Delap is tied to Chelsea until 2031, but a fresh start in the North-East is gaining traction.

Tottenham continue to scour the market for a long-term No. 1, with scouts dispatched to observe Freiburg goalkeeper Noah Atubolu. The 23-year-old German under-21 international has drawn Neuer-esque comparisons after conceding 43 goals in 26 Bundesliga outings for the eighth-placed side. Spurs anticipate bids for current keeper Guglielmo Vicario from Inter, heightening the urgency to secure Atubolu’s signature.

Liverpool are reluctantly abandoning hope of luring Inter defender Alessandro Bastoni to Anfield. The Serie A outfit are preparing a lucrative extension for the 26-year-old, who had been earmarked as Virgil van Dijk’s eventual successor. Barcelona and Chelsea retain interest, but Bastoni now appears destined to remain in Milan.

Juventus have emerged as front-runners for Manchester City captain Bernardo Silva, who is expected to leave the Etihad after a trophy-laden spell. United academy graduate Kobbie Mainoo, meanwhile, is on the verge of penning a lucrative new deal at Old Trafford, while club stalwart Harry Maguire discusses a one-year extension.

Barcelona winger Raphinha has dismissed summer exit talk, committing to stay at Camp Nou for at least another season and possibly beyond his current 2028 expiry. Newcastle and Tottenham have both scouted Cagliari right-back Marco Palestra, and Everton’s Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall insists he is “more than happy” on Merseyside despite Manchester United speculation.

In Germany, Borussia Dortmund captain Emre Can is poised to extend his stay until 2027, while Bayer Leverkusen have triggered a buy-back to re-claim 18-year-old midfielder Kerim Alajbegovic from RB Salzburg. Real Madrid’s youth scouts are buzzing over 18-year-old winger Alexis Ciria, recently signed from Sevilla’s academy, and FC Dallas are negotiating a loan-with-option deal for Fluminense’s Santiago Moreno. Chelsea are closing in on Union Santa Fe left-back Mateo Del Blanco, and Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola has leapt to the top of Athletic Club’s shortlist to replace Ernesto Valverde at San Mamés.

As the summer window looms, Tonali’s future sits at the epicentre of Premier League power plays, with Arsenal, City and United all ready to trigger what could become the most explosive bidding war of the year.