Man City enter Tonali race as Arsenal pivot to Bruno Guimaraes pursuit

Manchester City have joined the race to sign Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali, with sources close to the player’s representatives describing the club as serious contenders ahead of a potential summer move that could cost in excess of £100 million.

Tottenham had an £80 million bid rejected by Newcastle this month, with the Magpies holding firm for a figure closer to £100m. Spurs have already agreed terms in principle with Tonali — a six-year contract worth £275,000 per week, with his agency GR Sports set to receive a 10% cut of the transfer fee — terms that City are said to be capable of matching.

City are looking to replace Bernardo Silva and find cover for Rodri, and Tonali had already been a target during the Pep Guardiola era. Despite having just spent £116 million to sign Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest, the club retain the financial resources to pursue another major deal.

Arsenal were offered the chance to sign Tonali but were put off by his wage demands and the agent fees attached to the deal. The Gunners have since redirected their attention towards Bruno Guimaraes, Tonali’s Newcastle teammate, after the Brazil international departed for the World Cup without signing a new contract, according to Chronicle Live.

Tonali’s agent Giuseppe Riso, who shares a close relationship with Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi, has previously made little secret of his client’s ambitions. Speaking in March, Riso said: “That was the goal from the moment he went to England — to try to make him a star player. I think he’s the Italian footballer with one of the highest values in the world. We considered the idea of having the player play in a higher-level league.”

Newcastle chief executive David Hopkinson has acknowledged the club’s position, stating three months ago: “We think through what players might or might not want to do this summer. But if an Isak-like scenario presents itself again, any player under contract is going to leave on our terms.”

With City now in the frame, Tottenham face a stiffer challenge to land the former AC Milan star, though Spurs will point to the personal terms already agreed as a significant advantage in the race.