Manchester UnitedTeam·Manchester United are reportedly intensifying their efforts to bolster their squad for the upcoming season, with two Newcastle UnitedTeam·Newcastle United players, midfielder Sandro TonaliPlayer·Sandro Tonali and left-back Lewis HallPlayer·Lewis Hall, emerging as primary transfer targets. The Red Devils, under the guidance of Michael Carrick, secured a third-place finish in the Premier LeagueCompetition·Premier League during the 2025/26 season, ensuring their return to the UEFA Champions LeagueCompetition·Champions League.
This qualification necessitates substantial investment to navigate the increased fixture congestion and compete effectively across multiple competitions. United's director of recruitment, Christopher VivellCoach·Christopher Vivell, is understood to be leading the charge for new talent, with a particular focus on strengthening central midfield and left-back positions.
Lewis HallPlayer·Lewis Hall, the 21-year-old left-back, has garnered significant attention from Old Trafford. Hall initially joined Newcastle from ChelseaTeam·Chelsea in the summer of 2023 on loan, a move that became permanent a year later. He made 46 appearances last season, impressing with his performances. Manchester UnitedTeam·Manchester United views Hall as a crucial addition to provide competition and support for Luke ShawPlayer·Luke Shaw, who played every Premier LeagueCompetition·Premier League game last season. While Newcastle are reportedly reluctant to part with the young England international, a fee in the region of £50 million could be required, according to reports from The Athletic.
In central midfield, Sandro TonaliPlayer·Sandro Tonali remains a prominent name on Manchester UnitedTeam·Manchester United's shortlist. The Italy international returned to action in August 2024 after serving a betting ban and played a significant role for Newcastle throughout the 2025/26 campaign. He contributed to Newcastle reaching the EFL CupCompetition·EFL Cup final in March 2025, scoring two goals in the quarter-final. Tonali made 35 appearances last season, playing 2543 minutes with an 84% pass accuracy in the league. He signed a contract extension with Newcastle in October 2025, committing him to the club until at least 2029, with an option for an additional year to 2030. Newcastle legend Alan Shearer has suggested that a fee closer to £90 million might be necessary for Tonali, especially if the player expresses a desire to leave and if United miss out on other midfield targets like Elliot AndersonPlayer·Elliot Anderson and Adam WhartonPlayer·Adam Wharton.
Newcastle UnitedTeam·Newcastle United's own transfer strategy may be influenced by their 12th-place finish in the 2025/26 Premier LeagueCompetition·Premier League season, which saw them miss out on European qualification for the upcoming campaign. Despite reaching the Champions LeagueCompetition·Champions League knockout phase play-offs in the previous season, their domestic performance could prompt a squad reshape. The Magpies have already seen Anthony GordonPlayer·Anthony Gordon depart for BarcelonaTeam·Barcelona in a deal reportedly worth just under £70 million, indicating a willingness to sell key assets at the right price. However, Newcastle are not under immediate pressure to sell their best players.
As the transfer window approaches, Manchester UnitedTeam·Manchester United's pursuit of both Tonali and Hall underscores their ambition to build a squad capable of competing on all fronts, while Newcastle faces decisions regarding the future of their valuable assets.
Newcastle United's Lewis Hall and Sandro Tonali warm up before a Premier League match. Credit: Action Plus/IMAGO
Action Plus/IMAGOThis article was generated by AI (gemini-2.5-flash). Learn more.
