Manchester United have received a significant boost in their bid to sign Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali, after Juventus missed out on Champions League football. United are keen to bring Tonali to Old Trafford in the summer transfer window, but are widely expected to face stiff competition for his signature.
Arsenal, Manchester City, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain are amongst the clubs who have also been linked with a move for the 26-year-old Italy international. Juventus were another side to have expressed interest in Tonali, however, a switch to Turin now appears increasingly unlikely after the 'Old Lady' failed to secure Champions League qualification.
Luciano Spalletti's side went into their final fixture against Torino needing victory and favourable results elsewhere to clinch a place in Europe's top club competition next season. However, Juve couldn't even fulfil their own part of the bargain, squandering a two-goal advantage to draw 2-2. The result left Juve finishing sixth, behind fifth-placed Milan and Como in the fourth and final Champions League spot, meaning they will compete in the Europa League next season.
With that, Juventus' hopes of luring Tonali to the club have all but evaporated. Reports emerged last week suggesting Juve would require Champions League football to entice him back to Italy. The final games in Italy have already resulted in two sackings. Milan have announced the sacking of head coach Max Allegri and CEO Giorgio Furlani following their fifth-place finish.
With Juve and Milan now poised to drop out of the running, United are handed a significant boost in their bid to get a deal over the line. The Reds can offer Tonali a place in the Champions League and, in all likelihood, a straight route into the starting XI, with Michael Carrick's side needing to fill the void left by Casemiro.
United are targeting at least two central midfielders this summer as they contend with Casemiro's departure and the demands of a heavier fixture schedule next season. Atalanta's Ederson is amongst the other targets on United's radar, with talkSPORT claiming the Reds have reached a 'verbal agreement' to sign the Brazilian on a five-year contract. Ederson has long been linked with a switch to United, and it appears a deal could be finalised this summer. Negotiations between United and Atalanta are progressing over a potential £43million transfer.
Nottingham Forest's Elliott Anderson, West Ham's Mateus Fernandes and Real Madrid's Aurelien Tchouameni have all been linked with a switch to Old Trafford as United look to bolster their ranks. It promises to be a hectic summer for those at United, as they gear up for their return to the Champions League after a three-year absence.
