Transfers: With Newcastle signing Tonali, 26-year-old now may not join

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With Sandro Tonali looking as if he will arrive at Newcastle United, Eddie Howe could have just answered a key question.

Indeed, for much of the summer thus far, the club have been linked with various midfielders, with the aim to push Bruno Guimaraes further up the pitch into a more advanced role.

So, Tonali’s seemingly likely arrival at Newcastle should be a major boost. To land a big-name midfielder this early in the window would be some statement of intent.

With that in mind, the club could move on from some of the other targets previously linked with a move to St James’ Park.

Newcastle could leave Scott McTominay out in the cold

One of those is Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay.

The Scotland international was said to have been tracked for months by Eddie Howe, who is reportedly a big fan of the 26-year-old.

Still, according to 90 Min, McTominay could be left out in the cold.

Tonali’s arrival may see the Magpies move on from the Man United midfielder, as well as the fact Newcastle are also said to be interested in Nicolo Barella.

West Ham are believed to be interested in a move for McTominay.

McTominay never wanted to come anyway

Prizing McTominay away from Old Trafford was never going to be easy, regardless of Tonali.

As an academy graduate in Manchester, the Scotland star was believed to be keen to stay at his boyhood club, such is his emotional connection there.

Even were McTominay to have been keen to move to Newcastle, convincing Man United is another thing entirely.

Rivals with Newcastle for a Champions League berth next season and having already contested a domestic cup final in the campaign just gone, quite why they would have sold to Howe’s side unless there was a huge offer is unclear.