Man United Planning Ahead: Red Devils Eye Tonali As Casemiro Replacement In Summer - Report

Last Updated:February 09, 2026, 13:45 IST

Manchester United reportedly target Sandro Tonali as Casemiro’s successor; others such as Elliot Anderson and Adam Wharton are also being considered.

Manchester United’s summer rebuild is beginning to take clear shape, and according to The Telegraph, Sandro Tonali has surged near the top of the club’s shortlist as a potential successor to Casemiro.

United’s need is obvious.

Casemiro’s expected departure this summer removes far more than just experience. It strips Michael Carrick’s side of tactical security, leadership, and a player who has quietly redefined United’s season.

Physically transformed and mentally refreshed, Casemiro has been central to United’s push back into the Premier League’s top four, reviving Champions League hopes in a campaign free from cup distractions and European commitments.

For a team still searching for rhythm, control, and authority through the middle, midfield recruitment will define the next phase of United’s project.

Tonali, now 25, ticks several critical boxes. He combines elite pedigree with Premier League seasoning: a rare mix at a time when adaptation risks often derail big-money signings.

Already battle-tested in England, Tonali looks less like a gamble and more like a calculated evolution.

United’s interest in Tonali is part of a wider scouting strategy. Elliot Anderson and Adam Wharton remain under consideration, while previous checks on Brighton’s Carlos Baleba underline the club’s preference for athletic, progressive midfield profiles.

Yet Tonali stands apart.

He is entering his prime years, tactically disciplined, technically secure under pressure, and capable of anchoring or advancing play. He would not simply replace Casemiro — he would recalibrate United’s midfield identity.

Newcastle’s £55 million outlay in 2023 now appears modest in a market where Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo, and Declan Rice all exceeded £100 million. With Tonali under contract until 2029, Newcastle would expect similar bids for the Italian.

Agent Comments Fuel Transfer Speculation

“Newcastle are having a hard time letting go of Sandro, and he wants to lead the club to the Champions League," Tonali’s agent Giuseppe Riso stated earlier.

“We’ll evaluate and decide what to do in the summer. These transfer discussions will take place later. We’ll see how the season ends, and then we’ll decide what to do."

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