Manchester United midfield target pays five-figure fine to avoid prison sentence

Manchester United are expected to target multiple midfielders this summer.

The club are preparing for a major rebuild in the centre of the pitch.

Casemiro has already confirmed that he will leave Old Trafford at the end of the season.

That has forced United to draw up a shortlist of potential replacements.

One reported target, Aurelien Tchouameni, has also been in the headlines recently after being involved in a training-ground altercation with Federico Valverde at Real Madrid.

Now, another midfielder linked with United has been involved in a separate off-field development.

Sandro Tonali avoids prison sentence

According to Corriere della Sera, Sandro Tonali has avoided a prison sentence by agreeing to pay a fine of €78,250, which is around £67,600.

The Newcastle United midfielder was one of the players investigated as part of the Italian betting scandal that emerged in 2023.

Tonali was previously banned from football for 10 months after admitting to betting breaches during his time in Italy.

The case centred around players using illegal betting platforms.

The latest court outcome now appears to bring the legal side of the matter closer to a conclusion.

Reports in Italy state that around 20 people were punished in connection with the case.

The investigation also claimed that some players used bank transfers to a jewellery business as a front to cover gambling debts, with expensive watches listed despite purchases not actually taking place.

Manchester United monitoring midfield options

Tonali has since rebuilt his career at Newcastle after serving his ban and returning to action.

His performances have reportedly attracted attention from several clubs.

Manchester United are among those said to be monitoring him ahead of the summer window.

United’s interest would make sense given the scale of their midfield rebuild.

The club are expected to sign at least two midfielders this summer, with Casemiro leaving and further uncertainty surrounding the long-term make-up of the squad.

Tonali remains one of the Premier League’s most technically secure midfielders when fully fit and available.

It also remains unclear whether Newcastle would even entertain offers this summer given Tonali’s importance to Eddie Howe’s side following his return from suspension.

For now, though, the latest development finally appears to bring an end to a controversy that has followed the Italian midfielder throughout much of his Newcastle career so far.