Newcastle United are pushing to sign Inter Milan star Nicolo Barella – which would surely end rumours about teammate Marcelo Brozovic.
Newcastle have been linked with Inter Milan star Marcelo Brozovic but now seem more likely to sign teammate Nicolo Barella instead.
Gazzetta dello Sport reported on Tuesday that Newcastle had re-entered the race to sign Brozovic.
It was suggested that Newcastle had been chasing Brozovic through intermediaries some months ago but had recently targeted him again.
A €25million (£21million) fee was mentioned with Newcastle potentially looking at Brozovic’s experience for the Champions League.
The situation has taken a turn though as Newcastle appear to be closing in on a different Inter midfielder.
The Telegraph report that Newcastle are now pushing hard to sign Nicolo Barella in a stunning £50million swoop.
Newcastle have been in ‘intensive talks’ this week and now hope to bring Barella in, making him the club’s highest earner.
A deal for Barella would surely rule out signing Brozovic; Inter surely wouldn’t be open to losing both.
The only thing that would make us pause is that Brozovic has done a lot of his best work in front of Inter’s back three.
The Telegraph notes that Newcastle want a holding midfielder but Barella doesn’t fit that mould at all.
Brozovic makes more sense for that specific role but expecting Inter to part with their best two midfielders is a little lofty.
Marcelo Brozovic linked with Arsenal and Tottenham
We can’t see Brozovic to Newcastle materialising but there are lingering Premier League links…
Marca reported just a few days ago that Barcelona would like to sign Brozovic but are aware of rival interest.
It was suggested that three Premier League clubs – Arsenal, Tottenham and Chelsea – are all interested in Brozovic.
Arsenal seem to be focusing on younger midfielders like Declan Rice and Moises Caicedo, so we can’t really see that move happening.
Tottenham have a new boss in Ange Postecoglou and will surely target a midfielder or two.
Yet we think Spurs will go for more of a creative type like James Maddison rather than a sitting midfielder in Brozovic.
Chelsea make the most sense of the three, possibly looking for Brozovic as an experienced head alongside Enzo Fernandez.
A Premier League move doesn’t seem nailed on for Brozovic and it just got even less likely this evening.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
