Arsenal are still keeping tabs on Sandro Tonali, while Manchester City have also identified the Newcastle midfielder as a leading alternative should their pursuit of Elliot Anderson prove unsuccessful.
The Premier League champions are looking to strengthen several areas of their squad this summer.
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Alongside midfield reinforcements, Arsenal are targeting a new right-back, a left-sided attacker and an additional striker after securing the league title.
Tonali was made available to Arsenal during the closing stages of the January transfer window. Although discussions with Newcastle United never progressed at that stage, Fabrizio Romano reports that the North London club could now consider making a formal approach for the Italian star.
The Magpies are believed to value Tonali at nearly £100million, and he remains one of the midfielders Manchester City are monitoring ahead of the new season.
Anderson remains City’s priority target, with the club submitting an initial proposal for the England international earlier this week. Nottingham Forest turned down that offer and are reportedly seeking a fee that could surpass the £105m Arsenal paid to bring Declan Rice to the Emirates three years ago.
Negotiations between Forest and City are continuing as the Etihad side weighs up an improved bid.
Manchester United are also in the race for Anderson. The 23-year-old heads a midfield shortlist that includes Aurelien Tchouameni, Mateus Fernandes, Adam Wharton and Carlos Baleba.
While Anderson is understood to prefer a switch to Manchester City, failure to reach an agreement with Forest could see City redirect their attention toward Tonali, who is highly admired within the club.
City, Arsenal and United are all targeting several of the same midfielders as they seek proven quality in the centre of the pitch.
With Bernardo Silva expected to depart following Pep Guardiola’s exit, City are eager to add depth in midfield, particularly with Rodri reportedly attracting interest from Real Madrid.
‘With a World Cup ahead, my responsibility is to stay focused,’ Rodri said this week. ‘Anything related to my future will wait until after the World Cup.’
Manchester United, meanwhile, are preparing for a significant midfield overhaul after Casemiro’s departure, while Manuel Ugarte has also been linked with an exit from Old Trafford.
The club hopes to bring in at least two midfield additions and already has plans in motion to sign Ederson from Atalanta.
Arsenal are likewise seeking another midfield option to provide competition and support for Declan Rice, Martin Zubimendi and Martin Odegaard following a demanding 2025-26 season in which they challenged on four different fronts.
