- City will prioritise signings in midfield this summer to progress squad rebuild
- Bernardo Silva, Mateo Kovacic, Kalvin Phillips and Rodri could all leave
- The Blues want Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson and Newcastle United’s Sandro Tonali
Manchester City are interested in signing Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson and Newcastle United’s Sandro Tonali this summer, as per a new report.
The Blues are set to see club captain Bernardo Silva leave when his contract expires in June, with Ballon d’Or winner Rodri also open to joining Real Madrid amid a desire to return to Spain as he completes seven years in England.
Hugo Viana has spearheaded a significant remake of Pep Guardiola‘s squad since replacing Txiki Begiristain as City’s director of football last summer and the Portuguese executive is set for another busy transfer window.
City are bracing themselves for a mass exodus at the end of the season and as club bosses gain clarity over Guardiola’s plans for next season, the Blues will accelerate transfer negotiations with key targets with a view to complete as much business before the FIFA World Cup.
Manchester City plotting double summer swoop for Elliot Anderson and Sandro Tonali
Who do Man City want to sign this summer?
City are prioritising the acquisition of a world-class midfielder ahead of the new campaign. Silva is expected to leave in June, with Mateo Kovacic also entering his final year of contract and Kalvin Phillips‘ deal also set to be torn apart to move the Englishman on.
The Blues are leading the race to sign Anderson from Forest and there is confidence at the club that the 23-year-old prefers a move to Manchester City over cross-town rivals Manchester United.
United are understood to be frontrunners to land Tonali from Newcastle – though the length of time remaining on the Italian’s current deal at St. James’ Park will likely see the Magpies demand an extortionate fee for the 25-year-old.
Manchester City are actively monitoring Tonali’s situation in the north-east and in the event that the Magpies decide to cash in on the want-away star, the Blues are expected to strengthen their interest and stake a claim to bring him to the north-west.
Report: City likely to see one of Anderson or Tonali
As part of a wide-ranging Q&A article for the Manchester Evening News, journalist Simon Bajkowski has reported that as things stand, Manchester City are likely to sign just one of Anderson or Tonali this summer.
City are planning for the 2026-27 with Rodri, who is expected to stay into what is currently the final year of his contract, and will sit down with the Spain international’s representatives to discuss a new, long-term deal in the coming months.
Manchester City aim to accelerate move for £100 million midfielder before World Cup
However, in the event that Silva and Rodri leave Manchester City in the same window, the Blues will recruit accordingly and ond would imagine they will do everything in their power to sign Tonali from Newcastle – in addition to Anderson.
