How £60m Man United star could become Newcastle’s new Sandro Tonali

The Newcastle United persuasion boarded a rollercoaster when Eddie Howe replaced Steve Bruce at the start of the PIF era, but of late, someone has forgotten to press the stop button.

This is not enjoyable. The Magpies are careening through their second successive transfer window, crashing into the borders and seeing their lofty transfer ambitions spill over the sides.

Selling Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali for big-money fees was poignant, but acceptable, necessary for the advancement of the wider project. That said, losing Bruno Guimaraes to Premier League champions Arsenal would be unforgivable.

Having banked a nine-digit figure for Tonali’s signature, the Magpies have a degree of financial breathing room. Selling the Italian was the right call.

Why Newcastle needed to sell Sandro Tonali

Across the 2024/25 season, Newcastle and Tonali fell into a wonderful, harmonious partnership, the Italian maestro’s energy and intensity and physicality supercharging a drive toward the Carabao Cup title and qualification into the Champions League.

But he failed to replicate that same form last season, leading Toon correspondent Luke Edwards to claim that he was “average last season“, lacking the punch and the spirit of the term before.

He still needs replacing, even though he didn’t hit the right beats last year, even though Newcastle have already signed Sean Steur, 18, from Ajax this summer for £23m. The Dutchman has the technical ability, passing range and vision to emulate the Italian.

The fact of the matter is that Howe needs a committed, unified project, players willing to fight for the badge and lift Newcastle back up into the limelight.

In January, Tonali’s agent attempted to drum up interest and force through a move to Arsenal. Now, he has moved to north London, albeit signing for Spurs.

The Toon need an experienced Premier League star to replace him, though, and they may well have found a shrewd option.

Newcastle open talks to sign Man United star

Newcastle have missed out on Johan Manzambi, that exciting Swiss midfielder who instead will join Aston Villa after the Magpies had agreed a £51m deal to bring him to Tyneside.

That one’s a real blow, but according to TEAMtalk, Manchester United’s Mason Mount has been the subject of talks which could bring him to St. James’ Park before the summer sun is out. Michael Carrick is a big fan, but if he cannot promise minutes for the dynamic midfielder, Newcastle could swoop in.

The Red Devils do not want to cash in on the England international, who last played for his country in 2022, but there is a major appetite for his signature, which perhaps makes a firm comment on the latent qualities that would befit an ambitious outfit such as Newcastle. Aston Villa and Fulham are also keen.

Mount has had a torrid time at Old Trafford, now years away from the form at Chelsea that established himself as one of England’s up-and-coming superstars. Injuries have formed the crux of his struggle, but he did make gains last season, and could thrive at Newcastle in a more influential role.

Once hailed as a “pressing monster” by statistician Statman Dave, the 27-year-old only started 12 Premier League games last year, but he has proven before that he is an energetic, athletic and technical player, and in that, he could prove a shrewd Tonali replacement.

Tonali might have been “average” last year, but he is unquestionably a maestro in the middle of the park, so intelligent and sharp-witted. He reads danger before it has been instigated, picks passes unseen by others. Mount, while not a carbon copy, shares a number of those properties.

Remember when Chelsea beat Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City to lift the Champions League in 2021? It was Mount’s defence-splitting pass which carved the Citizens open and found Kai Havertz, who converted. That rare passing range is matched by few. Tonali being one of them. That is to say, it’s clear to see why Mount is on Howe’s radar.

Mount has gone four Premier League campaigns without playing a prominent role for his team – first Chelsea, then Man United – and at Newcastle, he could be handed the lifeline he so craves, bringing him back to prominence and re-establishing him in the top flight.

He is not Tonali, but United forked out £60m for his signature back in 2023, and if the Toon manage to settle him in and allow him to redevelop as a mainstay in the middle, it could be a shrewd move which benefits all parties.