Manchester United are looking at the option of signing Brescia midfielder Sandro Tonali. Tonali is a 20-year-old defensive midfielder who has come through the ranks at Brescia and is an Italian international, having played three times for his country’s senior side.
According to Corriere dello Sport (via Metro), Inter Milan are closing in on signing the midfielder for a fee of €35 million, but Manchester United have made a late bid for the young midfielder. Sandro Tonali helped Brescia get promoted from Serie B to Serie A in 2019, and has made 89 appearances for the club.
Tonali made his national team debut last year. He has two years remaining on his current Brescia contract.
Sandro Tonali: A good option for Solskjaer?
Sandro Tonali is a defensive midfielder who likes to dictate the tempo of the game from midfield, and this quality has seen him being likened to Italian legend Andrea Pirlo. Tonali is a player who can switch play with his long passes, and averaged 3.1 long balls per game in Serie A last season. He also averaged 1.9 key passes, which showcases his play-making abilities. The Italian racked up 7 assists in 35 appearances in the 2019-20 Serie A season.
Tonali is a player with a lot of potential, and one who could do a job creatively while also being useful defensively.
But, a defensive midfielder should not be a priority for Manchester United currently. The Red Devils have Nemanja Matic, Paul Pogba, Scott McTominay, and Fred as options for the two midfield positions. 19-year-old James Garner is another defensive midfielder who is thought of highly by the Manchester United coaching staff, and his progress could be hindered by the arrival of Sandro Tonali.
The Red Devils need to add players in other positions of the pitch first before signing a midfielder. Tonali is a player with potential but he is a young lad who has had just one good season in Serie A. It could be a risky deal for the club if he is not able to replicate the same form in the future, especially given the scrutiny which comes along with a move to Old Trafford.
Simply put, a deal to bring in a defensive midfielder, especially a young one, should not be a priority for Manchester United at the moment.
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