Manchester City step up interest in £100m midfielder

Manchester City are planning to move aggressively in the transfer market by targeting a new midfielder this summer. Internal rivalries could heat up in the Premier League as clubs vie for Sandro Tonali. City chiefs have already contacted Newcastle United over the possible signing of Tonali as they are expected to battle Tottenham for his transfer.

Manchester City have made fresh inquiries to sign Sandro Tonali, in addition to Eliot Anderson, according to new reports. The transfer department at the City FC Academy offices is gearing up for activity as coach Enzo Maresca officially takes charge of the team on July 1, which will entail changes to both the squad and the established squad.

After completing a £17 million compensation deal with Chelsea on a three-year contract at the Ettihad, sporting director Hugo Viana is keen to ensure his new Italian coach has stronger options. The club have already demonstrated their financial strength by completing a record £116 million deal for Nottingham Forest's Eliot Anderson, who passed his England medical at the weekend.

However, following the recent departure of veteran Bernardo Silva to Real Madrid and concerns about the physical strain on the squad, Viana refuses to limit his efforts to just one big deal.This desire is intensified after it was revealed that Rodri will need surgery after the World Cup and has been pulled out of pre-season training.

Recognizing the need for additional quality midfielders, City's recruitment team has actively focused its efforts on Tyneside as it continues to try to build a strong midfield ahead of the Premier League kick-off against Bournemouth on August 23.

According to The Chronicle's Lee Ryder, Manchester City have made fresh inquiries for Sandro Tonali, while Tottenham are yet to return with a second offer after their initial £80m bid from Newcastle was rejected. St James' Park expect the Italian to cost around £100 million if he leaves the club this summer.

Meanwhile, City's senior squad are preparing to return to training on July 20 before heading to East Asia for the first three pre-season friendlies, starting with the Hong Kong International. Solving the central midfielder problem remains a priority.

In parallel, Hugo Viana is managing separate negotiations, including interest in Chelsea right-back Malo Gusto, while also overseeing changes to the club's Academy coaching staff alongside Thomas Kroeken, notably the promotion of youth team coach Oliver Reis to the Elite Development Squad (EDS).Whether Sandro Tonali sticks to his original agreements with Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi or succumbs to Ettihad's temptation will certainly be revealed in the coming summer, but City are showing complete reluctance to rest on their laurels as a new Maresca era begins.

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