Hellas Verona president Maurizio Setti says he wants more than £25 million for Antonin Barak amid reported interest from Premier League duo West Ham United and Newcastle, speaking via Hellas1903.
On Sunday afternoon, Barak netted almost as many goals in just 50 minutes as every single one of the midfielders at Eddie Howe’s disposal have scored between them all season long.
Newcastle are crying out for a central midfielder with an eye for goal. And, according to L’Arena, Barak is just one of the names on a list of transfer targets longer than the Bayeaux Tapestry.
West Ham have shown the most interest in the 6ft 3ins powerhouse, however (Tuttomercatoweb).
Should Barek leave Verona for the London Stadium, he will be the fourth Czech Republic international in David Moyes’ squad, joining Tomas Soucek, Vladimir Coufal and the seldom-seen Alex Kral.
Will Antonin Barak join Newcastle or West Ham?
Reports in Italy have suggested that a bid of £17 million could do the trick. But, according to Setti, you can add at least another £10 million onto that rumoured price-tag.
“How much is Barak worth? Let’s say a lot,” Setti says.
“I read certain numbers and it makes me laugh. 25 million? Not enough. It is not me who decides the price.
“Now, we hold him tight. But I understand that this is an important moment for him. He was very happy after the hat-trick. He was walking around the locker room with the matchball in his hand.
“He needs to go to a big club. Due to his characteristics, he can play in the top four or five clubs in Europe. But if he continues like this, the price goes up.”
Who will be Newcastle’s next signing?
Barak is one of a number of talented attacking midfielders on Newcastle’s radar, even if a commanding central defender appears to be Howe’s top priority heading into the final fortnight of the transfer window.
Newcastle would love to bring Gini Wijnaldum back to St James’ Park but it is understood that he would prefer to join Arsenal instead. Another Ligue 1 playmaker, Aleksandr Golovin, does appear to be up for a relegation battle on Tyneside however.
Daniil Fomin, Golovin’s Russia international team-mate, is also rumoured to be a target for the deep-pocketed Premier League strugglers.
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