Di Marzio: Sandro Tonali tops Manchester United shortlist

As the Premier League enters the final stretch, summer transfer plans for clubs across the country are already beginning to spin, with a look ahead to next season firmly in the minds of managers, sporting directors, players and agents alike.

To make sense of these moving parts, we spoke with transfer guru Gianluca Di Marzio about United’s midfield targets, Liverpool’s search for Mo Salah’s successor, and why Real Madrid are closing the door on any permanent exit for Endrick.

Éderson and Zirkzee swap rumours

Rumours have intensified suggesting that Manchester United might look to leverage Joshua Zirkzee as a makeweight to land Atalanta’s powerhouse midfielder Éderson. Di Marzio, however, is quick to dismiss the possibility of the Brazilian landing at Old Trafford, as he’s more interested in settling in Madrid.

“No, Éderson won't go to Manchester United. He is very close to signing with Atletico Madrid. He has agreed his personal terms with Atletico Madrid, however there is no final deal between Atletico Madrid and Atalanta. The future of Éderson is really close to Atletico Madrid, but if the deal somehow collapses, I think Inter can come for him.”

“I don't think there is any possibility for Man United, especially not in a swap deal with Joshua Zirkzee because his salary is very, very high.”

“Atalanta also has a lot of strikers at the moment, but the bottom line is that Éderson is very close to signing with Atletico Madrid.”

Who will be Manchester United’s new midfield anchor?

While Ederson appears destined for La Liga, Manchester United continue searching for a midfield general. A list of high-profile names including Adam Wharton, Joao Gomes, and Carlos Baleba have been linked with the club. But according to Di Marzio, it is a former AC Milan star currently at Newcastle who represents the most tangible possibility.

“From all the names you mentioned (Tonali, Baleba, Mateus Fernandes, Joao Gomes, Wharton, Guimaraes and Elliot Anderson), Tonali is the player with the highest chance of joining Manchester United.”

“It is not really concrete at the moment, but Man United are interested in him and if we were to point at one midfielder, Tonali is the most likely option to end up at Manchester United.”

United are currently in the midst of a fight to qualify for next year’s Champions League, and this weekend, they will battle Chelsea in a huge game at Stamford Bridge. They are currently priced at 21/10 to pick up all three points on the road, and a quick check of our bet calculator will give you an idea of what you could earn if you fancy them to get the job done.

Liverpool’s interest in Elliot Anderson and a Mo Salah replacement

Another name frequently linked with the elite clubs across the Premier League is Nottingham Forest’s versatile midfielder Elliot Anderson. While Man Utd have been long-term admirers, the lure of Anfield may be stronger, though much depends on the long-term job security of Arne Slot after a difficult second season in charge of the Reds.

“I definitely think Elliot Anderson can leave Nottingham Forest. Liverpool are very interested in him, but we still have to remember that it depends on Arne Slot. We don't know if they will keep him, so it still comes down to that.”

“They would like to continue with Slot for now, but it still depends on how they finish the season. Anderson is one of the players they would really like to bring in, but it still depends on Arne Slot's future.”

Meanwhile, finding a replacement for Mohamed Salah is an unenviable task, yet the Reds' recruitment team is already narrowing their focus. The search has reportedly led them to Turin, where a certain Portuguese winger has caught the eye.

“One winger that Liverpool for sure wants is Francisco Conceição from Juventus. He is on their list, for sure. I don't know if they will end up getting him, but they are thinking about him as a replacement for Mo Salah.”

Chelsea stand by Rosenior

At Stamford Bridge, despite the usual whirlwind of speculation that follows the West London club, the message from the board regarding Liam Rosenior is surprisingly steadfast. Di Marzio notes that the lack of movement elsewhere in the market suggests the Premier League’s top brass are opting for continuity over the chaotic managerial carousels of years past.

“No, I definitely don't think Chelsea are thinking about replacing Liam Rosenior. The plan is to continue with him, but everything is possible in football. But they haven't contacted any other managers.”

“For example, I know that Roberto De Zerbi was trying to explore his opportunities at other top clubs in the Premier League before joining Tottenham, and the feeling he had was that no clubs were looking for a new manager at all.”

“His agent said as well that the feeling was that no club wanted a change. Not Chelsea, not Arsenal, not Manchester United.”

“So I don't think Chelsea are planning to get another coach, because if they were planning to replace him, they could have gone for De Zerbi.”

Ousmane Dembélé’s future at the Parc des Princes

Across the channel, Ousmane Dembélé’s contract situation at Paris Saint-Germain has alerted several Premier League outfits. However, despite the lack of a fresh signature on paper, the French international’s loyalty to his current manager remains the deciding factor.

“Ousmane Dembélé will stay at PSG. As long as Luis Enrique is staying at PSG, Ousmane Dembélé will stay as well. I really think he will stay and there is nothing concrete with other clubs, even though he hasn't renewed his contract yet.”

“He just wants to stay at PSG, so there is no possibility he can leave PSG.”

Andy Robertson’s Spurs move hinges on survival

In one of the more surprising developments of the January 2026 window, veteran Scottish full-back Andy Robertson has emerged as a primary target for Tottenham. While the groundwork for a move has been laid, the North London club’s precarious league position has put the entire operation on ice.

“Tottenham already have an agreement with Andy Robertson, but only if they stay in the Premier League. They even tried to get him in January, however Liverpool didn't want to let him go.”

“He is out of contract soon, and they want him, but of course Robertson is still waiting to see if they will be in the Premier League or the Championship.”

“But for sure, if Tottenham stays in the Premier League, Robertson will decide to join Tottenham. Roberto De Zerbi really likes him a lot.”

Endrick: The untouchable jewel of Madrid

Finally, the future of Brazilian talent Endrick has been a topic of debate following his loan spell at Lyon. While the French side would love to keep the teenager on a permanent basis, Real Madrid president Florentino Perez sees him as a non-negotiable part of the future at the Bernabeu.

“It will be very difficult for Lyon to sign Endrick on a permanent deal, because he is one of the players that Florentino Perez really likes. He feels like Endrick is his player and he wants him to be a part of the project. Endrick wants to be there as well, and Real Madrid wants him to come back. They are not planning to sell him at all, but he might go out on another loan deal, but they will not sell him.”

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