Manchester United gave Casemiro a fitting Old Trafford send off on Sunday. A 3-2 win over Nottingham Forest. Third place secured with a game to spare. Now the search for his replacement begins in earnest.
The World Cup looms this summer. Leaving deals until after the tournament risks inflated price tags and poached targets. So United need to move fast.
And one man stands out among a sea of players: Sandro Tonali.
‘I don’t want to say I want to stay here 10 years’
Tonali finds himself in a difficult position. Following his ban for breaching Italian betting regulations, Newcastle supported him unconditionally through ten months away from the pitch. That support bred loyalty.
But the goal posts have moved.
Newcastle reached the Champions League knockout stages, but this season has been an unmitigated disaster. Eddie Howe has split fanbase opinion as the Magpies stutter towards a mid table finish. Conference League? That’s the best they can hope for.
Alexander Isak’s departure to Liverpool last summer set their demise in motion. Anthony Gordon is expected to join Bayern Munich this summer. There’s little evidence Newcastle can rebuild.
So Tonali is weighing up that loyalty.
Last November, he was asked about his future. His response was telling.
“This is a tough question because, you know, in football you need to think year for year,” he said.
“I don’t want to say I want to stay here 10 years and in two years, three years, four years, five years I will go.
“The last summer was tough for us, for Alex [Isak], but this is football. If you have an option for your life, for another team you need to think about everything. I don’t want to say: ‘Yes, I want to stay here 10 years’, but now I’m happy here. I don’t think anything about another team.”
That was then. The end of the season will bring his future into sharp focus.
United hold all the cards
According to reports in Italy, Tonali is up for sale. United are one of the teams interested.
In some ways, Tonali and Casemiro are similar. Both happy to get on the ball and pick out a pass. But where Casemiro is more combative, Tonali favours carrying the ball up the pitch.
Not quite a like for like replacement. But a definite upgrade in certain areas.
United can offer the 26 year old Champions League football. The football he wants. The football he deserves.
Newcastle will put up a fight to keep Tonali, especially with Gordon seemingly on his way out. But their negotiating position is weak. United should take full advantage.
The bottom line
Newcastle will be haunted by Isak’s exit for years. If United want Tonali, they need to act fast.
The Reds hold all the cards this summer. After last year’s scrimping and saving, United should be able to attract an even higher quality of player this time around.
Every indication suggests Tonali is someone United could lure in. A marquee signing. A new heartbeat for the midfield.
Casemiro is gone. Tonali could be the one to fill the void.
Now it’s down to United to make it happen.
