Manchester City will only make a move for Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali if another of their midfielders leaves this summer, sources have told Football Insider.
The Citizens are big admirers of the 26-year-old, but currently have their full focus on getting their move for Nottingham Forest star Elliot Anderson over the line.
The England international is their "top priority" at the moment, and they are not planning to move for both him and Tonali in the same window.
City are "waiting in the wings" to accelerate their interest in the Italian, but will only do so if another midfield exit occurs at the Etihad Stadium.
Newcastle have placed a £100million asking price on Tonali, while City look set to pay in excess of £130m for Anderson.
Tottenham have already seen one bid rejected for Tonali, and are understood to be well ahead of City in their pursuit.
City have already lost Bernardo Silva from their squad this summer, with the Portuguese leaving for Real Madrid upon the expiry of his contract.
There has also been major speculation surrounding Rodri's future, as the club transitions away from the Pep Guardiola era.
The 30-year-old has been heavily linked with a move to Real Madrid in recent months, and is about to enter the final year of his contract at the Etihad.
However, former City financial advisor Stefan Borson told Football Insider earlier this week that the Spanish giants are unlikely to act on those links this summer.
Instead, he expects the veteran to head to the Spanish capital on a free transfer next summer, as he is keen to see out his contract in Manchester.
That could effectively block any chance of a move for Tonali this summer, with Rodri still expected to be the first-choice man in the midfield next term.
Borson previously told Football Insider that City's wage bill is "on the verge" of becoming "out of control," such is the investment in the squad in recent years.
The football finance expert that the exits of Silva and John Stones will have helped to some degree, but further departures are still expected at senior level.
Borson noted that City's wages for last season were likely to be closing in on the £500m mark, a staggering total even for a club of their level.
That is expected to be addressed behind the scenes this summer, with Borson suggesting that some of the younger players in the squad may be shown the door.
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Source: Football Insider
