Manchester City are reportedly ready to rival Real Madrid and Barcelona for the signature of Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali this summer.
Tonali joined Newcastle from AC Milan for £55m in July 2023 and initially endured a challenging start to life at St James' Park as he was handed a 10-month ban from football for breaching betting rules.
However, since returning from that lengthy suspension in August last year, Tonali has established himself as a first-team regular under Eddie Howe, forming a successful midfield partnership with Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton.
The 24-year-old has made 40 appearances for Newcastle across all competitions this season, starting 30 of those, and has chipped in with five goals and three assists.
Tonali helped Newcastle win the EFL Cup earlier this year - the club's first domestic trophy in 70 years - and he is now hoping to play his part in securing Champions League football for the Magpies via a top-five finish in the Premier League.
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Newcastle to entertain £68.7m bids for Tonali?
Tonali still has over three years remaining on his contract on Tyneside, but speculation over his long-term future with the Magpies has surfaced in recent weeks.
Recent reports have claimed that Serie A giants Juventus are considering a player-plus-cash swap deal to sign Tonali, but Newcastle will not entertain offers for the midfielder this summer.
Now, Fichajes claims that Man City, Real Madrid and Barcelona have all set their sights on signing the Italy international and his possible departure could trigger a 'full-blown bidding war'.
The report adds that although Newcastle are determined to keep hold of Tonali and have no plans to facilitate his exit, sources close to the deal claim that the Magpies may now entertain offers of at least €80m (£68.7m).
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Why are Man City, Real, Barca interested in Tonali?
Man City are known to be in the market for midfield reinforcements this summer; while Kevin De Bruyne has confirmed he will be leaving at the end of the season, the likes of Bernardo Silva and James McAtee are allegedly facing uncertain futures at the Etihad Stadium.
It is claimed that Tonali is one of the names that 'most appeals' to Citizens boss Pep Guardiola due to his 'mixed profile and reliability'.
As for Real Madrid, they are still yet to replace Toni Kroos, who retired last summer, and will also need recruit a new heir to 39-year-old Luka Modric when he decides to call time on his legendary Los Blancos career.
Meanwhile, Barcelona may also look to sign a new midfielder this summer and they are said to have identified Tonali as someone who would give the team 'an extra level of consistency' in an area where youth is prominent but experience is relatively scarce.
Oliver Thomas
