Inter Milan must rebuff Newcastle United’s attempts to take Nicolo Barella to the Premier League if they are serious about competing for Serie A and the Champions League.
So says Beppe Bergomi; the Nerazzuri legend who knows a thing or two about what it takes to succeed at the very highest level in blue-and-black.
Bergomi spent the entirety of his playing career at Inter Milan, making over 700 appearances and winning three UEFA Cups. Nicolo Barella may not be joining him in the pantheon of ‘one club greats’ – he only joined Inter back in 2019 from Cagliari – but Bergomi is hoping and praying that arguably the most underrated central midfield player in Europe is not lured away by the bright lights of the Premier League and the deep pockets of Newcastle United.
Newcastle face Inter Milan battle for Nicolo Barella
“There are strong players and then there are decisive players. Barella is part of the second group. Those who make the difference,” Bergomi tells Gazzetta dello Sport.
“I think it is logical to see Nicolo’s name mentioned with all the big international clubs. But it is a long way from here to talk about possible negotiations or sales.”
“(If an offer arrives) you register it. And, then, the player’s status is reaffirmed with grace: ‘non-transferable’.”
Bergomi will have been delighted to learn, then, that the £50 million fee Newcastle were reportedly planning to invest in Barella – per The Telegraph – is ‘nowhere near’ Inter Milan’s valuation.
Inter want closer to £85 million.
“I believe that, if Inter want to continue to be protagonists in Italy and in Europe, they must have the strength to reject any indecent offers that may arrive for Barella,” Bergomi adds. “Nicolo must be the starting point of any club project. There is no doubt about this.
“If the club wants to think big, then it must always see Barella at the centre of its project.”
Newcastle have just £75 million to spend on new signings due to Financial Fair Play concerns, via the Daily Mail. As such, it seems fanciful that the Magpies will stump up as much as £80 million for Barella while James Maddison, Gabri Veiga and Carlos Alcaraz may be available for considerably less.
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