Newcastle United are reportedly preparing a fresh attempt to sign 26-year-old Italian international maestro Nicolo Barella from Inter Milan in the summer window of 2024.
According to Spanish outlet Fichajes, Newcastle United are preparing a box-office signing for the next summer transfer market and have their sights set on Inter Milan star Nicolo Barella, whose price tag will be at least €75 million.
The 26-year-old made the switch from Cagliari to Inter Milan in the summer of 2019. Since then, the Italy international has been growing from strength to strength in recent years, cementing himself as one of the best midfielders in Italy and possibly Europe, with an eye-catching record of 20 goals and 44 assists in 190 games for Inter.
Despite establishing himself as one of the Nerazzurri’s most integral players over the past couple of years, Barella’s future at San Siro has often been a subject of debate. The Italy international, who also shone during Azzurri’s Euro 2020 triumph, extended his Inter deal in 2021, and those terms will not expire until 2026.
Needless to say, Barella’s exploits have attracted suitors from the Premier League, with Newcastle being the first movers this past summer. The Toon tried to land the Euro 2020 winner for a fee of just £50 million. But understandably, Inter refused to sell their stalwart, while the player himself has reservations about leaving Milan.
Liverpool also tried to test the waters for Barella throughout the summer. But, like Newcastle, Liverpool swiftly abandoned the pursuit after finding themselves facing a brick wall. Nevertheless, after failing to find any breakthrough in the negotiations with Inter and Barella, Newcastle turned their attention towards the other part of the city, and ended up sealing the high-profile transfer of Sandro Tonali from AC Milan.
However, Newcastle have not yet given up on their Barella’s pursuit, with Eddie Howe understood to be a firm admirer of his style of play and versatility, viewing him as the ideal reinforcement for next summer. Per Fichajes, the Magpies are also willing to submit “a million-dollar offer” to lure the midfield maestro away from Inter, whose stance may change in the upcoming year.
Inter reinforced their midfield with a trio of notable signings in the summer window, bringing in Davy Klaassen and Kristjan Asllani on permanent deals while landing highly-rated Davide Frattesi on an initial loan deal from Sassuolo. Inzaghi’s side were also working hard to sign Lazar Samardzic from Udinese before a deal collapsed.
But the report adds that the Nerazzurri will likely push again for the Serbian’s signature in January. Should Inter manage to get a deal done for Samardzic, they could supposedly be more receptive to listening to offers for Barella in 2024, for around €75 million. And there is a growing feeling that he will end up in the Premier League.
Newcastle already have a stacked midfield department, with Tonali competing with Bruno Guimaraes, Joe Willock, Joelinton, and Sean Longstaff for a starting spot, while young Elliot Anderson and Lewis Miley are rated highly by the club as future midfield prospects. So, these Barella reports must be taken with a pinch of salt. Still, a fresh move in 2024 cannot be completely ruled out if Howe views him as the final piece of the puzzle of his midfield revolution.
