City's £200m midfield pursuit of Tonali and Anderson could price United out of the market

Manchester United’s search for a cut-price Casemiro replacement this summer is being complicated by Manchester City, who are reportedly pursuing the same two midfield targets in deals that could collectively cost as much as £200m.

Casemiro is set to leave Old Trafford at the end of the 2025/26 season, leaving United short in the engine room. City face their own midfield crisis: Bernardo Silva has already departed for Real Madrid, and Rodri’s future is uncertain in the post-Pep Guardiola era, leaving the club potentially threadbare in the centre of the park.

Both clubs are understood to be interested in Newcastle United’s Sandro Tonali. The 26-year-old Italian has been one of the few bright spots in an otherwise struggling Newcastle side and, with St James’ Park set to host no European football next season, he could be tempted by the prospect of Champions League football at either Manchester club. Newcastle, however, value him at over £100m and he is contracted until 2028, meaning any deal will be far from straightforward.

Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson is the second name on both clubs’ shortlists. The midfielder is currently representing England at the 2026 World Cup after an impressive domestic campaign, and Forest will command a significant fee given he is tied down until 2029 at the City Ground.

According to The Athletic, signing both players could cost City in the region of £200m. Should City move for Tonali and Anderson simultaneously, the knock-on effect for United could be severe — not only losing out on their primary targets, but facing an inflated market for any alternative.

United do have fallback options. The club are also monitoring Mateus Fernandes at West Ham United, who were relegated from the Premier League this season. With the Hammers under pressure to reduce their wage bill following the drop to the Championship, there is speculation they could be willing to sell at a reduced price — potentially offering United a more affordable route into the transfer market if their top targets prove unattainable.