Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is reportedly scrambling to win the undivided attention of 19-year-old Sandro Tonali, a fast-rising playmaker who currently plays for Serie A club Brescia. The teen is touted as the next Andrea Pirlo and supposedly excites for his "deep-lying playmaker role in the center of midfield."
Interestingly, Tonali appears to mimic the playmaking skills of the legendary Pirlo, including the latter's hairstyle and is tipped by scouts as a football superstar in the making.
The Sun reported Tonali made his debut with Brescia in 2017 and was quickly promoted to first-team status. Only in his second season with the club, the Italian prodigy has already made a mark and widely regarded as "the player that will often get the ball moving, starting attacks with his range of passing."
The youngster has logged in 61 professional appearances on the pitch and has lately been adjusting his style to make provisions for scoring. Tonali has already registered 61 goals, the report added.
Metro said United scouts have already checked on the Brescia star and they have sent back words that strongly urged the Premier League club to make a move on Tonali. In any event, the teen would fill in the space that Paul Pogba will leave if the rumors are correct that he's supposed to exit from the team at the end of the season.
The Frenchman is strongly linked for a transfer to Real Madrid, and without confirming anything, the Red Devils seem to be preparing by searching actively for a suitable replacement.
Insiders from Old Trafford have reportedly dubbed the Italian teen as a possible "generational talent" and that the Reds have been spying on him in the last 18 months. United has been advised that Tonali is improving by the day, and the club must move in with dispatch as other teams have also joined in the race.
It is estimated that for Tonali to start talks with any interested teams, a deal to be offered will need to start at £40 million. The high price tag, however, failed to discourage European clubs from wooing the Italian teen, The Daily Mail reported.
"Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain, and Atletico Madrid are all in the chase for the 19-year-old," the report said.
It was clear, however, that Brescia will not let go of Tonali that easy. Club president Massimo Cellino has indicated he will make it hard for club suitor to lure his prized midfielder out of Brescia by putting a price tag of £260 million on the teen.
"I don't want to sell. I have a dream. If Sandro accepts, I am ready to make a big financial sacrifice to extend his contract. It's up to him to decide. He can stay here and enjoy his football, or go to a big club and risk being left on the bench," The Sun reported the Brescia executive as saying.
