Midfielder only a target if current squad member departs
Manchester City will only pursue Newcastle United's Sandro Tonali this summer if one of their existing midfielders leaves the club, according to reports.
The Italian international, 26, is admired by the Etihad hierarchy but the club's immediate focus remains on securing Nottingham Forest's Elliot Anderson in what would be a British-record deal exceeding £130 million.
Football Insider's Pete O'Rourke reports that City are waiting in the wings to accelerate their interest in Tonali should a midfield exit materialise. Newcastle have placed a £100 million asking price on the former AC Milan man.
The stance comes amid ongoing uncertainty around the futures of Rodri, Tijjani Reijnders and Nico Gonzalez. Rodri's current contract expires at the end of the 2026/27 season and he has yet to commit to fresh terms.
Sporting director Hugo Viana has prioritised detailed recruitment targets in specific positions following the end of the Pep Guardiola era, having completed the bulk of the squad rebuild over the last 18 months.
Elsewhere, Tottenham are reportedly well ahead of City in the race for Tonali and have already had one bid rejected by the Magpies. City remain calm about Spurs' advanced positioning, with Viana's contingency plan ensuring the club is protected against any sudden market shocks.
Committing a nine-figure sum to Anderson underlines Enzo Maresca's intention to build his midfield around the 23-year-old England international. Allocating a further £100 million for Tonali without generating significant capital through player sales would be problematic for the club's decision-makers.
A double swoop for both Anderson and Tonali has not been ruled out entirely, but the Italian's arrival depends entirely on outgoings first.