Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali emerges as Manchester United's top summer target with captain Bruno Fernandes giving approval - Paper Round

Friday's Paper Round leads on Manchester United's pursuit of Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali, with Bruno Fernandes giving his seal of approval. Elsewhere, The Red Devils are said to be interested in Arsenal's Myles Lewis-Skelly, while they hold the "advantage" in their negotiations with Barcelona about making Marcus Rashford's loan permanent for £26m in the summer.

Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali has emerged as Manchester United's top target this summer, claims the Mail.

Man Utd captain Bruno Fernandes has also thrown his support behind the Italian, who scored in his nation's 2-0 win over Northern Ireland in the World Cup play-off on Thursday.

United have also been linked with Nottingham Forest's Elliot Anderson and Crystal Palace star Adam Wharton.

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"This is not the news regular readers of this column will want to hear, much like Alexander Isak and Liverpool last year, but Sandro Tonali and Manchester United has gathered a lot of momentum in recent days," writes Craig Hope.

"Indeed, my sources now expect Manchester United to make a formal approach to Newcastle after the season’s end. The Old Trafford club have a midfield shortlist of three ahead of this summer, but Confidential understands Tonali is set to emerge as the main target ahead of Elliot Anderson and Adam Wharton. Anderson is admired greatly but he is likely to join Manchester City.

"Interestingly, Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes is said to have added his support to an approach for Tonali, so impressed is the Portuguese by his midfield counterpart."

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Tonali 'expects' to leave Newcastle without European football

Sandro Tonali "expects" to leave Newcastle United this summer if the club does not qualify for Europe, reports local newspaper, Shields Gazette.

Eddie Howe's side are 12th in the Premier League following a disappointing home loss to fierce rivals Sunderland, a result which sees them six points behind sixth-placed Chelsea.

The outlet states: "The Gazette can exclusively reveal the Magpies’ midfielder, and his representatives, believe they have a ‘gentleman’s agreement’ in place with the club. They understand that should Newcastle fail to qualify for Europe next season, they currently sit 12th in the division, the club will consider offers for the player, who, until recently, was seen by many as untouchable.

"Without Champions League football, now near impossible, Europa League or Conference League - that last one might not even be enough to satisfy the player - Tonali expects to leave Tyneside. On the flip side, should Eddie Howe’s men end the campaign strongly, there’s every chance he stays."

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Man Utd could make shock move for Lewis-Skelly

Manchester United could make a shock move for Myles Lewis-Skelly from Premier League rivals Arsenal, reports The Mirror.

The 19-year-old has started just one Premier League game since the start of the campaign, and his lack of minutes could play into the hands of United, who want a new left-back.

The Mirror writes: "Manchester United have added Myles Lewis-Skelly to their shortlist ahead of their search for a left-back this summer, which could leave Arsenal with a decision to make.

"Lewis-Skelly is viewed in high regard at the Emirates, having been one of their more impressive academy graduates in recent seasons, but need minutes to continue his development and United may look to seize on his current situation.

"Arsenal themselves are looking to make additions come the summer, but would need to raise cash via player sales. if they were to offload lewis-skelly then he would represent pure profit having come through their youth system."

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Man Utd hold Rashford 'advantage'

Manchester United have the upper hand in their discussions with Barcelona over the potential sale of Marcus Rashford, it has been claimed.

The forward joined Barca on loan last summer and has impressed in Catalonia. It has been reported he can join permanently for a fee of £26 million at the end of the season.

"Marcus Rashford's long-term future at Barcelona is uncertain, with Premier League and European clubs expressing an interest in the Manchester United star," writes The Mirror.

"The 28-year-old joined the Spanish heavyweights on a temporary basis last summer, which included a £26million purchase-option clause. At present, there's no definitive sign whether or not that will be triggered, with the latest developments putting United in a favourable position.

"Barcelona are believed to be eager to sign Rashford on a permanent basis, but there have been hints that they could attempt to secure him for less than the agreed-upon clause.

"However, United are holding firm and have seemingly landed an advantage in negotiations with Barcelona as English and European clubs have made enquiries over his availability, according to ESPN.

"Their report has also claimed that he could end up back at United. Either scenario seems to be a win for his parent club as they either get a top player for next season or sell for a fairly significant fee following such a good spell in Spain."

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Liverpool eye Spurs defender

A report in Metro claims Liverpool have held talks with Tottenham Hotspur about potentially signing defender Luka Vuskovic.

Vuskovic has spent this season on loan at Hamburg, starting all but three matches so far this term.

"Liverpool have reportedly held internal discussions over a possible move for Tottenham defender Luka Vuskovic ahead of the summer transfer window," writes Metro.

"Tottenham reached a £12million agreement with Croatian outfit Hajduk Split for Vuskovic back in 2023, a deal that saw the youngster join up with Spurs last summer.

"And while Tottenham were keen to keep hold of Vuskovic this season, the player himself requested a loan move in order to secure regular first-team minutes so as not to hamper his development.

"This saw Vuskovic complete a temporary switch to Hamburg, where he joined his brother Mario, and the teenager has been nothing short of a revelation at the heart of Merlin Polzin’s defence in recent months.

"However, off the pitch, Vuskovic’s future appears uncertain and there is mounting speculation that the Croatia international could be set to leave Tottenham without playing a senior competitive game for the north London club.

"According to Bild, Barcelona have Vuskovic ‘in their sights’ as they scour the market for a tall, ball-playing defender. His agent Pini Zahavi is said to have a good relationship with Barca president Joan Laporta and both Hansi Flick and Robert Lewandowski have spoken with the centre-back.

"Real Madrid are another European giant circling for Vuskovic having previously explored a bid for the 6 ft 4 in centre-half when he was a youth player, before his move to Spurs."

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