Newcastle chief executive warns that any departures from the club will be conducted on the Magpies’ own terms as speculation intensifies
Newcastle United have warned that any major departure from the club will happen on their terms, amid Manchester United’s interest in midfield duo Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimarães .
Speaking as Newcastle released their fiscal figures on Tuesday, Newcastle chief executive David Hopkinson made it clear that while there is no explicit mandate to offload star talent, the club is fully prepared to navigate a volatile summer market.
Newcastle have defined a clear transfer policy when it comes to outgoing stars, where even their most important figures have a price, provided it serves the long-term health of the club.
Hopkinson was firm when addressing the prospect of losing key personnel such as Sandro Tonali or Bruno Guimarães, both of whom have been the subject of persistent enquiries from across the continent.
While the executive was not in his current post during the saga that saw Alexander Isak depart for Liverpool in a record-breaking £125 million deal last summer, he cited that transaction as a blueprint for the club’s future dealings.
“But if an [Alexander] Isak-like scenario presents itself again, any player under contract is going to leave on our terms and we’re going to maximise the opportunity that might represent for the club. That absolutely does [mean extracting the maximum price],” Hopkinson stated.
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“For me, Isak was a good sale. What I do know is that players that leave this club will need to do so on our terms.”
Manchester United lean towards Tonali in midfield reshuffle
The remarks come following reports that Manchester United are finalising their summer recruitment plans with a specific focus on St James’ Park.
While initial speculation had suggested that the Red Devils were tracking Bruno Guimarães, the narrative has shifted significantly in recent days.
According to reports, it is the Italian international Sandro Tonali who has now emerged as the primary target for Manchester United as they look to overhaul their engine room ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.
This tactical pivot by Manchester United is part of a broader strategy to secure elite-level experience. The club is reportedly working from a narrowed shortlist of three midfield options, yet Tonali is understood to have moved ahead of domestic alternatives such as Adam Wharton and Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson.
The momentum behind a formal approach at the end of the season appears to be growing, with United looking to capitalise on Newcastle’s need to balance their books following a challenging season that saw them exit the Champions League in the round of 16.